Christian Science 

and the 

Ordinary Man 



Walter S. Harris 




Class ^ ' - 
Book 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSm 



CHRISTIAN SCIENCE 

AND THE 

ORDINARY MAN 

A DISCUSSION OF SOME OF THE TEACHINGS 

OF MARY BAKER EDDY, DISCOVERER AND 

FOUNDER OF CHRISTIAN SCIENCE 



BY 

WALTER S. HARRIS 





G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS 

NEW YORK AND LONDON 

Zbc Ikntcfterbocfter press 

1917 



•H3 



Copyright, 191 7 

BY 

WALTER S. HARRIS 



FEB 20 1917 



Ube ftnicberbocker ^tees, llew Borl 
©CI,A4556n7 



4' 

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FOREWORD 

To those good people who are so constituted 
that they can see nothing in aught save '* facts/' 
by which I assume that they mean that which 
can be verified by sight, hearing, smell, touch, or 
taste, my advice is frankly, that they lay this 
book down without attempting to read it, for to 
those so constituted, it will be sure to prove only a 
source of irritation. If, on the other hand, you are 
ready to admit with me that the world has only 
progressed through the exercise of faith in the 
direction of the things it has hoped for; if you can 
see that the great inventions and great discoveries 
of the world have always, prior to their existence 
''objectively'' in consciousness, existed in the 
minds of men as things, which they inferred as 
possible because of pushing known facts to the 
limit of reason, and then exercising beyond the 
limiits of reason a faculty which, for want of a 
better term, I have called in this book the ''Faith 
which is the substance of things hoped for, the 
evidence of things unseen''; if you are willing in 
your turn to exercise your reason to its limits, 
and then speculate from known facts to unknown, 
using Faith, the Bible, and Demonstration as your 



iv Foreword 

guides; then I have hope that you will gain from 
this little volume, if not a conviction of its truth 
and an agreement with its views, at least something 
which will help you onward in the pathway toward 
truth which we all are traveling. 

Many things written herein are acknowledged 
to be speculations and inferences from the known 
to the unknown. They are things which seem 
sufficiently probable to form a basis for the exercise 
of faith. None of us can see the whole of the 
pathway, but by comparing our views of that 
which we do see, and by relying on divine guidance, 
we shall some day come where we can see ''face 
to face, '' and not as now '' through a glass darkly. '' 

Lest I be forced to do it many times, I wish to 
explain, once for all, what may appear to many to 
be a needless repetition of the same idea or ideas 
in the chapters to follow. This repetition is in- 
tentional and therefore I do not apologize, but 
explain that as in the vicinity of a large city all 
roads eventually lead to the same place, so the 
roads near the City which is called Beautiful all 
lead to God. I have but traveled the roads as I 
found them. Sometimes my footsteps may have 
strayed from the pathway, but always the roads 
themselves have led me to a central idea. One 
must look at a beautiful building from different 
angles to appreciate the plan of the architect, but 
from whatever angle he looks, it is the building he 
sees, and of it he must speak as best he may, even 
though he uses the same words many times. 



Foreword v 

And besides, this book is intended to be and is 
only a series of random thoughts spoken from one 
friend to another. 

I should add to this foreword the statement 
that while this book has in its title the words 
''Christian Science/' the author is one who 
believes that all mankind are on the way to final 
and conscious unity with God. Many theories 
of truth held by men have elements of real truth 
in them, which elements of real truth, as the 
''leaven which leavens the whole lump,'' will, the 
author believes, eventually lead their followers 
through experience out of those portions of their 
behef which are untrue and into the one way of 
truth which is that trod by Christ Jesus. This 
book, in addition to being a discussion of Christian 
Science, is in part an attempt to set forth the 
essential true elements existing in some other 
beliefs, to the end that a starting point may be 
found for greater brotherhood among all churches 
and beliefs, a basis in Christ for the Brotherhood 
of Man. 

Grateful acknowledgment is hereby made for 
the courteous permission to include in the present 
volume citations from works copyrighted and con- 
trolled by the following individuals and firms: — 
Houghton, Mifflin Co. and Henry Holt, for per- 
mission to make citations from Cosmic Relations; 
D. Appleton & Co., for permission to make quota- 
tion of certain paragraphs derived from Essays on 
Controverted Questions by Thomas H. Huxley; the 



vi Foreword 

International News Service for their authorization 

to reprint an article entitled Hatred Allowed to 

Grow, by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, which appeared in 

the Minneapolis Tribune; the Minneapolis J ournidy 

for permission to reprint a portion of an editorial 

from the columns of that paper, and to Dr. William 

Osier, for permission to reprint a portion of an article 

from his pen which appeared in the Ladies Home 

Journal in 191 5. 

W, S. H. 

Minneapolis, Minn. 
June 10, 1916. 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Foreword iii 

CHAPTER 

I. — A Few Preliminary Thoughts . . i 

II.— "Is God All?" . . . . . 27 

III. — Contradictions 46 

IV. — Does Matter Have Reality? Chris- 
tian Science and the Physical 

Sciences, Including Medicine . . 53 

V. — Does Evil Have Reality? . . . 149 

VI. — Christ Jesus and the Meaning of Life i 74 

THE TWO MINDS in MAN . . . 217 

immortal mind . . . . 23i 

mortal mind and the devil . . 253 

spiritual life . . . .272 

mortal life 277 

cure of sickness and other 

''miracles'' under the spiritual law 282 

carnal law ..... 29o 

law OF CHRIST .... 297 
vii 



Vlll 



Contents 



MIND AND SPIRIT ARE ALL . 
THE WAY OF SALVATION 
UNREALITY OF EVIL . 
CORRECTION NOT PUNISHMENT 
THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN . 

VII. — To Church Members 
Epilogue . 



PAGE 

308 

312 

319 
320 

323 
329 
342 



CHRISTIAN SCIENCE 

AND THE 

ORDINARY MAN 



Christian Science and 
The Ordinary Man. 



CHAPTER I. 

A FEW PRELIMINARY THOUGHTS. 

Ideas bom of long rambles in the pines come 
to me seeking the clothing of written word that 
they may present themselves with decency to 
friend and antagonist alike; but I fear they find in 
me a sorry tailor. That which in the moss- 
grown silences was alive with the vital spark of 
truth; that which in the camp-fire glow waked 
a sympathetic response and sprang swiftly into 
word so soon as born in the mind, shrinks sensi- 
tively from the test of limited and unsympathetic 
ink and paper. The experience is not new. 
Ideas are more real than words can make them. 
They spring forth in the mind with such swiftness 
and power of conviction that they write for them- 
selves a volume in an hour, yet when for the love of 
giving a message to the joy of others, one would 
fain clothe them in the feeble alphabet, it seems 



2 Christian Science 

that anchoring tornadoes with a cotton string 
would be as easy. The most one can hope to do 
when separated from the play of personality in the 
spoken word is to here and there strike a tone of 
truth that it may, like the tuning fork, evoke an 
answering harmony in the sensitive mind strings 
of the friends who read intuitively that which 
it is in the heart to write. 

Yesterday, I built in mental sentences a dignified 
structure called *' Preface" in which ''I'' became 
''the writer," and all the binding conventions of 
literary style were strictly remembered; but the 
temple of yesterday becomes the ruin of to-day 
when I recall the camp-fire circle and remember 
that we were there quite ready to use all the ^Ts" 
in the type case if only we could send a Uving 
message from heart to heart and through hearts 
sympathy to mind. Conventions and literary 
styles have their good places and uses, yet as 
between friends who wish to speak intimately of 
subjects mutually interesting, they seem an added 
barrier for the thoughts to cross and a fortress 
wall warring against closer acquaintance. 

''Personal Acquaintance" one often hears is the 
key to the minds of many men, and those who have 
communed with others in the still of moonlit 
evenings around the fire with nothing humanly 
visible between them and the stars know that there 
that key can easily be found. It is the key I would 
most gladly use with all who here read the record 
of some thoughts (both of mine and of others) 



A Few Preliminary Thoughts 3 

which, bom in the camp-fire light, have drawn at 
least one and it is hoped other men a little nearer 
the source of all good. While we cannot all sit 
around the same fire, we can at least, in imagi- 
nation and sympathetic thought, even through the 
poor medium of the written word draw closer in 
that personal acquaintance which goes far to 
smooth the way for sympathetic converse and 
understanding. That is why this chapter might 
have been headed, ' ' By way of getting acquainted. " 

As you may have truly surmised from the 
foregoing, I love the out-of-doors. I have in 
that far-distant locality, which to my family is 
known vaguely as ''the woods," two log cabins, 
both of which would rattle if shaken in the 
room in which I am now writing. They are 
magnificently equipped with everything which 
ought to make me long for home. These are my 
occasional winter residences, and I do not hesitate 
to visit them even though the snow be piled high 
before the door. In summer, I have a consump- 
tive gasoline launch which coughs, sputters, and 
dies but can always be resurrected by minute 
attention to details. In this, with tents and 
much impedimenta too varied for description, 
I voyage unknown waters, stopping for the night 
wherever the sun decrees. 

Sometime, I am going to take you with me on 
one of these joumeyings, but my mission now is a 
message and not a story, and I mention the 
story part only to give you a thought of how the 



4 Christian Science 

message came and why I hope it may please and 
interest you. 

I used to think of ''the woods'' as a place where 
I went to run away from the turmoil of external 
things which overpressed me — a place where God's 
air was fresher than at home, where there was a 
subtle mystery of different sunshine, an ill-under- 
stood, invisible medicinal something to send me 
back strong, to meet again the same pressure of 
externals. On growth of thought, however, that 
theory failed to meet the facts for plainly the 
sunshine at home was just as beautiful, the air at 
home just the same air, and strange to relate 
(as I then thought) the turmoil was there and 
here alike. 

So I have had to revise my thoughts, as thanks 
be we often are forced to do, and now I think of 
going to ''the woods" as a process of changing 
thoughts, and stilling that turmoil which I now 
know to be but a part of myself, by fixing those 
thoughts on that which comes nearer the realiza- 
tion of God's idea for man than the things I once 
thought of as resistlessly pressing upon me from 
without in the busy city. Some day, I hope that 
I can sit here in my study and realize in mind, 
though far distant, the quieting influence of the 
pines, but God leads us gently and when we cannot 
of ourselves realize all of Him we ought, He supplies 
the pines and his wild creatures to help us. Now 
that I have written this last paragraph, I cannot 
3ay clearly why it seems to fit my message unless 



A Few Preliminary Thoughts 5 

it be because of the hope that it will help you to 
see the surroundings in which that message had its 
start, and further help you to know the men who 
were instruments in starting it. 

Probably they are the last persons in the world 
whom you would look to either as source or as 
contributing influences to the thoughts I wish to 
talk with you. As I have said above, the only 
reason I mention either them or the woods is to 
bring to you closely the surroundings in which 
the thoughts had birth, and to impress an idea 
upon you which has grown upon me: the idea 
that of all the subjects discussed around the 
camp fire, in the street, the office, or the home, 
there is none in which men are so truly interested 
and about which they are more ready and anxious 
to talk than that new type of thought about 
God, which brings Him nearer to the daily life 
of every man, and makes Him a more vital factor 
in that life. 

I must dwell a little on this thought. Perhaps 
it will be a revelation to you as it was to me — • 
or perhaps you will have discovered it for yourself 
and this part of my story will be an old one to you. 
Nevertheless, I must tell of it. I had thought in 
former days that a monopoly existed among "ed- 
ucated" folk both as to philosophical thought 
and as to its understanding. First oflf , it seemed to 
me that the Presbyterians had the sum of the 
truth rolled up in a package and specially delivered 
to them. A little later in life, I extended the 



6 Christian Science 

limits to Presbyterians and college men who 
agreed with Presbyterians in spirit though not in 
word. Then I discovered that sometimes a business 
man evinced an unexpected and dehghtful in- 
telligence and interest in philosophy and in reli- 
gion, and of late I have with a large degree of 
success ventured to mention the subjects to, 
and found receptive intelligence coming from, the 
man who chops trees, the man who cooks, and 
even from Old George who lives in a tar-paper 
shack because the demon rum chased him there. 

The proposition that matter does not exist is 
one that, unless you have had just the experience 
I have had, you would probably expect George 
and the man who chops to vehemently deny, and 
it was one that I did not venture to mention until 
I found that somewhere and by some mysterious 
means they had already heard of it. Now, while 
I cannot make it plain, either to my own mate- 
rial senses or to those of another, that matter does 
not exist, I can give reasons which are satisfactory 
to me, at least, for thinking it is by no means as 
certain as we have been accustomed to believe, 
that it does. And I can give very excellent 
reasons, again satisfactory to me, why it would be a 
very great blessing to mankind if it did not. 

When asked to do so, I did explain to George 
and to others like George in some respects, and I 
was surprised to find that what I had to say was 
received with the greatest of interest, and with 
apparent acceptance of its possibility. This experi- 



A Few Preliminary Thoughts 7 

ence is one I have had everywhere I have gone in 
the last two years, and I have come to wonder 
whether, after all, there may not be, as Mrs. Eddy 
of Christian Science fame says there is, an un- 
spoiled man underneath or rather behind the 
appearance we see, who apprehends instinctively, 
— understands and assimilates a statement made 
to him which seems to lead toward or approximate 
truth. It is difficult to account for the ready 
apprehension of these things by the so-called 
uneducated, on any other basis. I have also 
wondered whether the possession of that which 
we call education, if it happens to have directed 
one's mind in certain fixed channels, does not 
positively hinder understanding of spiritual truth. 
''A little child shall lead them." 

I think it was vastly more difficult for me to 
grasp things not apprehensible by my senses than it 
was for George, in spite of his unfortunate history, 
and inasmuch as I have found all over the country 
those in widely differing walks of life who have 
listened to what was in my heart to say with 
interest and sympathy, it has seemed that the 
experience of one who has come to his present 
viewpoint by rather a difficult pathway might be 
helpful to others who perchance are starting, 
ending, or midway through the same journey. 

So I come to you with my story. It is not, 
probably, a new one, but it may be the first time 
it has been told in this way, and it may be new to 
you. I do not pretend that this I have to say is 



8 Christian Science 

the sum of wisdom. Something may come to me 
to-morrow which will lead me to change the view I 
now have, and I reserve the right to do so, as 
should you. I do not ask you to agree with me, 
but my hope is that as one goes to pick rasp- 
berries in a field, you will not reject the berries 
and turn back without crossing the fence because 
you see some weeds. I am reminded that when 
I first read Science and Health, there were many 
things on every page I could not agree with — 
there are still many — but on every page I found 
also much that helped me to help others, and 
myself. If this book can in anjrwise help another, 
its purpose is accompHshed. 

I am a Presbyterian, perhaps not a very con- 
sistent one, but at least I am not nor have I ever 
been a member of any Christian Science organiza- 
tion. I make this explanation because there are 
many good people to whom the name of Christian 
Science acts very much as a red rag does when 
shaken at a bull. Mr. Darwin tells us that we 
are descended from the animals and it has been 
my pleasure often to imagine that some of us 
may be descended from other animals than the 
monkey. So, I have no doubt that there are 
people both of the bovine and the bull variety. 
I surmise that if you should ask Mr. Bull why he 
always runs violently in the direction of a red rag, 
he, if endowed with speech, would find great 
difficulty in explaining — it just makes him feel 
that way anyhow — the blame thing is no good 



A Few Preliminary Thoughts 9 

anyway, and Grandfather Bull always said ''down 
with if — so he sticks his tail up in the air, bellows 
madly, and rams away — and if the rag happens 
to be moved, he rams the nearest thing handy. 

So it is with Christian Science — substitute those 
words for the rag, any allied doctrine for the 
nearest thing handy; Smith, Jones, or Brown for 
the bull, and your parallel is exact. All of which 
is said with the utmost good nature, and no 
malice whatever. Many of these good people 
are my very good friends and I only reserve the 
right to poke a little good natured fun at them 
just as they doubtless will find many occasions, 
if they read this book through, for poking fun at 
me. 

Huxley says in one of his books that he is an 
agnostic, and then proceeds to define that term 
as signifying a person who, if you asserted the 
proposition that two and two make five, would 
lend an attentive ear to your arguments, and 
agree with you, if you could show him a satisfying 
reason for so holding. While I might differ with 
this definition, I can with all sincerity say that if 
that be the true attitude of an agnostic, it is to 
my mind far preferable to the attitude of that man 
who adopts a constitution and by-laws for himself 
(or perchance adopts one made to order for him 
by another) and then, having himself named it the 
sum of all truth, refuses to consider opposing 
thoughts which may be presented to him. I have 
always, from the earUest days of independent 



10 Christian Science 

thought, felt instinctively that to get into the 
attitude of an attorney or advocate, either for or 
against any belief or statement of belief, is a mis- 
fortune for any man. If you have any legal atti- 
tude which you feel must be adopted, let it be 
that of the judge who, listening to both sides of 
the argument, makes up his mind on the basis 
of the best evidence presented, and is always 
ready to change his opinion if other and more 
convincing evidence be offered and whenever it is 
offered. The truth is always the same, and 
always has been. But man's knowledge of and 
opinions concerning that truth change. The sum 
total of unknown truth is surely great enough, if 
one may judge from the discoveries concerning 
it in the last hundred years, to constitute a mental 
warning to any man not to shut his ears and his 
heart arbitrarily to any who wishes sincerely 
to present that which appears to be a new truth, 
or rather I should say a new statement of the 
truth. Listening does not mean accepting. The 
Master has equipped every man with the capacity 
to test that which he hears, and has given 
satisfactory instructions from time to time as to 
how to go about it. *'By their fruits ye shall 
know them,'' and ''Knock and it shall be opened 
unto you, " *'Seek and ye shall find" — seem to me 
to indicate pretty clearly the way in which each 
man of you can for himself reach a conviction of 
the truth of any belief presented to him for con- 
sideration — but one is not ''seeking" who shuts 



A Few Preliminary Thoughts ii 

the door to the statement of truth just because it 
seems to destroy former beHefs, and a great deal 
of the knocking done nowadays is of the destructive 
variety and can only be efficiently done with a 
hammer. 

All of which is merely by way of saying that in 
reading this book, I plead for the open mind from 
all of my readers. All of which seems also to have 
slid off my pen in consequence of the remark 
that I am not a Christian Scientist. 

In naming this book, I hesitated to bring into 
its title the name of Christian Science for many 
reasons, one of which — the antipathy of many 
good persons to that doctrine — I have already 
mentioned. Then, too, I have not consulted with 
any Christian Scientist concerning either its 
writing or publication, and as I have in reading 
Science and Health, with Key to the Scriptures, by 
Mary Baker Eddy, reserved at all times my liberty 
to disagree with such of its conclusions as I could 
not either understand or demonstrate, I cannot, 
with any assurance, say that I represent the 
Christian Science point of view — all I can claim 
to do is to truthfully set forth my own. But in 
spite of these very good reasons for not using the 
term Christian Science in connection with my 
book, I find that much of that which I have in 
my heart to write is so far in agreement with the 
views of the Discoverer and Founder of Christian 
Science, Mary Baker Eddy, that I would fail in my 
obligation of acknowledgment were I to speak of 



12 Christian Science 

the views herein to be set forth as my own, and 
I have therefore entitled the book Christian Science 
and the Ordinary Man. It has seemed to me that 
the story of the process by which one common 
ordinary man has come to the views here to 
be expressed, and some of his speculations regard- 
ing things which cannot be apprehended by finger, 
ear, or eye, might be of interest and value to some 
other common ordinary man, not because of the 
fact that the views are new, but because of the 
fact that God in wonderful ways leads those who 
sincerely wish the truth, to convictions which 
become too real to the individual to be harnessed 
in words; and possibly the story of mental pro- 
cesses in one case may help others who are on the 
same pathway, to reach the same inner conviction 
and peace. For be it known at the outset that I 
am not a college professor, but just an ordinary 
business man. 

I do not pretend to an excess of knowledge, 
and the road along which I have come is simply 
that to be trodden, I beUeve, by any man who 
starts sincerely in the direction of finding the 
truth for himself, and pursues the way with zeal 
and interest. I say interest, advisedly, for as I 
have elsewhere said, it seems to me that of all 
the interesting subjects now discussed by men, 
there is none so interesting and none in which more 
men are interested than in what I may call the true 
relation of man to God, and in what that relation 
may mean to man in his common daily life. 



A Few Preliminary Thoughts 13 

My first acquaintance with the type of thought 
which I have, in the title of this work, named 
Christian Science for want of a better term to 
comprise it, came about, as is very often the case, 
because of ill health — not of the so-called organic 
variety — merely a nervous condition induced, — no, 
not by overwork, — but by overworry. Doubt- 
less many have experienced the same sort of 
thing — sleepless nights, and just as tired when 
sleep came as when it did not, pins and needles, 
aches and pains like hatpins all over, every time 
the baby speaks above a whisper, which is 
always, one jumps far enough to land a distance 
record, thoughts skipping from Hudson Bay to 
Patagonia and back again, without resting on 
one spot more than a second, etc., — the etc. 
containing more than the specifications. I went 
to all the doctors there were and was dissatisfied 
with each new opinion received therefrom, there 
being an opinion for each doctor and one over, 
because one doctor had two opinions. No offense 
to the doctors. One always respects sincere 
effort. Some of my old doctors are among the 
most self-sacrificing of men, and if you leave out 
the *'self " you can cover most of the rest. 

Seriously, I have many good friends among the 
doctors for whom I feel the truest respect. I have 
no doubt they have produced and will produce 
much of good, though possibly, as I will have 
occasion to say later, not just in the way that has 
been supposed by them and others. 



14 Christian Science 

Be that as it may, one of my good friends — 
though not a Christian Scientist — desired me to 
try Christian Science — it being, as was said, **good 
for a man who really has nothing the matter with 
him — and as it could not do any harm anjrway, 
we might as well try it, and if it has no serious 
effects, perhaps we can use it to make the baby go 
to sleep/' So protesting my own wisdom, and the 
foolishness of others, I went to a Christian Science 
practitioner; for what could he do for me where 
my eminent friends of long and erudite study had 
failed ? This said practitioner is a large and benev- 
olent gentleman who to-day is my very good 
friend, and after a few well chosen words by me 
in my own behalf (for who will take the trouble 
to explain to others that you are noty in spite of 
appearances, if you neglect doing it yourself?) 
he closed his eyes and went to sleep, right in the 
middle of an argument of mine, to the effect that 
there was nothing to it. There being nothing 
further to say, or at least no one to whom that 
which needed to be said could be spoken, silence 
reigned, and after it had reigned sufficiently, it 
abdicated and some more silence climbed up in the 
throne. Now, I am trying to tell this to you just 
as it seemed to me at the time, and if you will try 
to project yourself into my mind then and now, 
you will see that I mean no disrespect. I am 
simply trying to tell you how you will feel if you 
try it — later I will have more to say. The only 
sensation I was conscious of was like that which 



A Few Preliminary Thoughts 15 

happened once when I was a little boy and a 
mouse crawled up the minister's sleeve while he 
was saying a prayer. Try it and see — a sort of 
''I just won't explode feeling,'' you know, and I 
am ashamed to confess that the thought came to 
me, **How do you suppose he would explain it if 
he has bad sleeping habits, and forgot himself?" 

But you recall that once Diogenes had it 
demonstrated to his own satisfaction by another 
wise man, that he just could not get up and walk 
around his tub — and refuted the argument by 
getting up and walking around it. So, in a very 
few days, I began to feel better, and in a few days 
more, at the invitation of my large gentleman 
friend, I ventured to call him up at two o'clock 
in the morning when I could not sleep, and I went 
to sleep immediately thereafter. 

Now, I am well aware that there are running 
through your mind, thoughts something like the 
following : nervous imagination, auto-sugges- 
tion, confidence induced by mental reliance on 
another, precipitation of gastric juices through 
serene mental atmosphere, subjective mind re- 
gaining control over objective mind by sugges- 
tion, etc., for I am familiar with all of these, 
and I believe that there is scarcely a book on the 
subject I have not read — but Hsten — I remember 
that in our philosophy class we had a favorite 
illustration to the effect that if you were throwing 
dice with a man and he got double sixes twice in 
succession, you thought he was lucky, but if he 



i6 Christian Science 

got them twenty times in succession, you pulled 
a gun on him on the theory that the dice were 
loaded — you didn't actually know it till you cut 
open the dice — he might have hypnotized them — 
but you had a pretty safe chance of vindication 
if you used the gun. And anyway even if it be 
auto-suggestion that helped me, it got the results. 
Like the blind man whom Jesus cured and who 
said, ''This one thing I know, that whereas I 
was blind, now I see,'' to me the method is of 
interest only, that I may try to understand and 
apply it again. 

So, the baby, one afternoon, had a vomiting 
spell, with fever and other distressing signals. I 
called up the practitioner — the fever and vomiting 
promptly left. I had a cold so that my vocal 
apparatus was converted into a furnace which 
customarily would have been like the heathen 
in the Messiah. I visited the little office down- 
town, and came away from there in half an hour 
with no vestige of trouble, and no return. There 
is no need of multiplying instances — they were 
sufficient for me to see in them a V'stop, look, and 
listen" signal, and while I am not going to be 
drawn into any argument — having previously 
seen the disaster thereof — I will venture the pre- 
diction that if any sincere person will do the same 
thing I did with the desire to find out, and not 
with the thought of disproving something in 
which he, a priori, does not believe, that same 
sincere person will, as I did, get enough conviction 



A Few Preliminary Thoughts 17 

to start him in the direction of studying the subject 
seriously. It is a curious fact that we get out of 
life very much that which we put into it, and if one 
puts in skepticism and disbelief, instead of a 
desire to learn, it is not impossible that conviction 
of the truth will not become clear to that individual. 
To any one, the process is slow — one cannot ex- 
pect to jump from inherited belief to that which at 
first sight seemiS to controvert in essentials all which 
one used to hold. But of that, more hereafter. 

I said a few lines back that my experiences were 
a *'stop, look, and listen*' sign to me, and if you 
are constituted as I am, you will know that I 
simply mean by that an imperative signal to try 
and understand — for I am among those so 
unfortunately constituted that I cannot get the 
benefit of a thing that I cannot understand up to 
the limit of my comprehension. By that I mean 
to admit, as all must, that there is in the nature of 
things much that the human mind cannot as yet 
at least grasp, but for myself I like to press as far 
into an understanding of the truth as my reason 
and intuition will carry me — and I use the word 
intuition advisedly, because I am sure that in 
relation to these subjects, there is and will be much 
which, so far as the human reason is concerned, 
must be stated as speculation, and intuition of 
truth relied upon to verify its truth. By intuition 
I mean just what the occultist does when he uses 
that term (see Steiner's Gates of Knowledge, 
page 116). 



l8 Christian Science 

So having been warned to turn aside and try to 
understand, I set to work to first reason as far as I 
could, and then beyond that, to speculate a little 
further, relying on intuition and demonstration for 
the verification of that of my thought which was 
purely speculation. You will understand more 
of what I mean by demonstration later. 

I found in arranging my thoughts, and I believe 
many of my readers will find the same to be true 
of themselves, that my first instinctive opposition 
to Christian Science came about in three ways. 
First, because it controverted the evidence of my 
senses ; second, because it controverted (seemingly) 
that which I had been taught to believe regarding 
the mission of Jesus, and the nature of evil; and 
third, because it controverted the commonly 
accepted beliefs as to the world in which I seemed 
to be living. Therefore, I set to work, (i) to 
discover for myself how reliable the evidence of 
my senses is; (2) granting that that evidence may 
be unreliable, how much of that which has been re- 
ferred to as ''commonly accepted beliefs'' is based 
on this unreliable evidence; (3) what has been 
the opinion of the brightest minds in the world's 
history as to the reliability of sense testimony; 
(4) granting the, to me, rather self-evident propo- 
sition that my view of the world is conditioned 
by my idea of God, what is that idea which to me, 
personally, seems- best to fill the requirements of 
my life as I know them; (5) granting that the 
Bible, while it may contain errors, none the less 



A Few Preliminary Thoughts 19 

contains very much of truth — what does the Bible 
and what does Jesus more particularly say about 
those beUefs and about the beliefs which I am 
asked to accept? I set to work to study and I 
have read much, my reading leading me into 
many lines. I have even gone through Madam 
Blavatsky's Secret Doctrine. I shall have more to 
say of that later. 

I marked passages in my Bible for nearly two 
years which seemed to apply to the subjects I was 
considering, and then having marked them, went 
back and had them tabulated on a typewriter 
under different headings such as '*Is God All?" 
"Does Evil Have Reality?" etc. Naturally, I 
cannot give you in the short space of this book an 
exhaustive idea of two years' work. I hope to 
make the book readable with enjoyment, and 
all I can do is to give briefly some of the con- 
clusions I have reached and the process of reason- 
ing by which I have reached them. These reasons 
may be faulty — as I have said, I am not a college 
professor, and I am only hoping that I may in 
my reasoning and speculation strike that note 
which will reach the heart of every man and 
woman who wishes to know, and indicate to each 
a Httle segment of the long pathway to truth. 

Possibly this is the place where I can best say 
that Christian Science has not always been 
successful with me or with my friends, in removing 
a sense of illness. This, however, to me does not 
in any degree invalidate behef in its doctrines, so 



20 Christian Science 

far as I am concerned and so far as I have been 
able to accept them. 

I believe that any good medical man will tell 
you, and you will believe him, that there are times 
when the condition of a patient is so susceptible to 
disease that medicines cannot reach and cure. 
Why, if you give the privilege of using this claim 
to the medical man, should it be denied to the 
Science practitioner? May it not be true that 
the failures of Science to cure are due not to the 
principles on which it depends (which, if true in 
one instance or several, must be true in all), but to 
the condition of mental susceptibility to, or 
apprehension of the truth on the part of the 
patient? Think it over, in a fair-minded spirit 
of wanting to know the truth and see what con- 
clusions you reach. Personally, I expect that in 
the course of my life, I will be troubled with the 
same sort of things men have been troubled with 
for ages, and in some instances I will doubtless 
have trouble in overcoming them. I realize that 
this, from a Christian Science viewpoint, is a 
poor thought, but, frankly, it does not seem 
probable to me — even though it be a possibility 
— that I can get enough of the truth in a short 
lifetime here, to free me entirely from the curse of 
Adam. None the less, I am going to try for that 
very thing and where I fail I shall know that the 
fault is my own plus that of accumulated opinion 
(of which more hereafter) and not assess the 
blame against God. Also I expect that the time 



A Few Preliminary Thoughts 21 

will come when I will have to pass on and join the 
friends who have gone before. The Bible cer- 
tainly tells me that the time will come when death 
will be overcome, but that also is one of the 
things that does not to me seem probable within 
the limits of my present life, even though it be 
stated as a possibility of Christian Science, and 
is also a reasonable possibility, as I shall hope to 
show. However, when ''death'' comes, for me, 
I am sure that it will be due not to a fault in 
infinite Principle, but in the understanding which 
I have been able to gain of the working of that 
Principle. 

And yet, I have heard people who seriously 
advanced, as an argument against Christian 
Science, that Mrs. Eddy is dead ! 

Possibly this is also the time and place where 
I can best speak of that type of mind, which, when 
it is confronted with reasonable proof of the cure 
by Christian Science of so-called incurable disease 
(so diagnosed by competent physicians), takes 
refuge in the statement that ''the diagnosis was 
mistaken.'' Now obviously, to the Christian 
Scientist who does not believe in the reality of 
any disease, this is a true statement of fact; but 
from the point of view of the person who believes 
disease to be a fact, it appears, to me at least, to 
be the acme of absurdity, for obviously the argu- 
ment can be used with just as great a show of 
legitimacy against the physician who himself 
diagnoses a disease and then cures it, as it can 



22 Christian Science 

against the Christian Scientist who cures the 
same disease after being told what it appears to 
be to a physician. Furthermore, the person who 
advances such an argument has, as a rule, no 
means of knowing as a fact that his statement is 
true. In other words, the argument to me appears 
self -destructive and only a means of shutting one 
person's mouth and another's ears. 

Personally, I have made a very careful exami- 
nation of evidence in favor of the cure of disease 
by Christian Science, and, for myself, am con- 
vinced that so-called diseases w^hich have been 
called incurable by competent physicians, have 
been cured by metaphysical means. Also so far 
as I am concerned, I do not propose to dodge the 
issue by saying that, within the limits of medical 
knowledge, a mistake has been made in naming 
the particular difficulty under which the patient 
suffered. 

On the other hand, there appears to be ample 
evidence of the cure of disease by what were 
supposed to be medical means, but I am rather 
suspicious, as will hereafter appear, that the 
medicine part of the cure had less to do with the 
cure than is commonly thought. Here I admit in 
advance of having someone call my attention to 
it, that beyond my intuitions and speculations, 
and those of some doctors, I have no means of 
knowing that to be a fact. The whole difficulty 
appears to me to grow out of a disinclination on 
one side of the argument to place any reliance in 



A Few Preliminary Thoughts 23 

testimony not confirmed by the physical senses, 
and a disinclination on the other side of the 
argument to place reliance on any testimony not 
confirmed by the spiritual senses. 

For one whose consciousness is bounded by 
that which he feels, sees, hears, tastes, and smells, 
it is difficult to credit the interposition of any 
power not manifested by these means; and yet 
any man who stops to think will see that there 
are many things he knows which come to him in 
other ways. All he has to do in order to take 
them into active consciousness is to recognize 
them, and admit their reality. Somewhere in the 
Bible, faith is defined as ''the substance of things 
hoped for" — evidently it was intended to ascribe 
substance to things we hope for, in other words — 
reality. May it not be that the only way in 
which we can obtain the things hoped for as a 
reality, is through the exercise of spiritual faculty — 
in other words, of faith? I admit it as my experi- 
ence that so far as the physical senses are con- 
cerned, I have never seen a demonstration in 
Christian Science about which I could not have 
constructed an argument to prove that it would 
have happened from other causes; but the same 
thing is true of any cure I ever heard of, brought 
about by medical science — for it seems to me 
that the preponderance of probability is against 
a pill, one sixteenth of an inch across, producing 
such wide-spread effects as are at times ascribed 
to it. In other words, it takes a lack of faith in 



24 Christian Science 

truth to believe in many things commonly believed, 
much greater, to my mind, than the faith required 
to believe in metaphysical cure. 

Just as a thought for you to turn over in your 
mind, may it not be true that we are placed here 
between truth and not truth, and that the exercise 
of that faith about which we have just been talk- 
ing, which seems to be a necessity toward any con- 
viction; or rather that the direction in which that 
faith is or is not exercised, conditions that which 
most seems reality to us (i. e,, spirit or matter)? 
Think over also that place in the Bible where it 
says, ''This is the condemnation that light is come 
into the world,'' and ''Men loved darkness, \i, e., 
absence of true consciousness] rather than the 
light" — i. e.j failed to exercise their faith ^ toward 
bringing the substance of light into consciousness 
and therefore inertly seemed to bring darkness or 
not truth into reality in their consciousness rather 
than the substance of things which all men hope 
for spiritually. I am free to confess that the 
reality of metaphysical cure to me could be argued 
against. I could construct an argument against 
it myself. 

None the less, it is substance and reality to 
me because I have relied on and tested it. 

No argument could go any further with me than 

* I have worded the above in the way I have, because I cannot 
consistently speak of "exercising" faith toward the untrue. 
Wherever I speak of such "exercise" in this book please under- 
stand "Absence of the exercise of faith toward truth." 



A Few Preliminary Thoughts 25 

mine to prove its reality, though I may discover 
something new to-morrow — but beyond any argu- 
ment is the inner conviction and the demonstra- 
tion, which never was mine as regards other 
beUefs. As I have said before, let any man try it 
sincerely and see if his experience is not the same. 
Now that I have written the last part of the 
preceding paragraph, it seems to me that I have 
stated what appears to me at least, to be a Principle, 
on which the ideas formulated in this book must 
be founded; that Principle being, that it is im- 
possible for the human mind to construct an 
absolutely incontrovertible argument for or against 
either spiritual or material fact, — or to be more 
specific, for or against metaphysical healing, — 
which is that portion of spiritual truth which we 
happen now to be talking about. No matter 
what I might say, an opponent could construct 
an argument against it, and vice versa. The 
only justification I can see therefore for the state- 
ment of opinions on such subjects is that the 
human mind can lead one in the direction (up to the 
present limit of its understanding and no further) 
of that spiritual ''intuition'' which supplies the 
lack of reasoning when the limit of human reason 
is reached. In a word, the finite cannot compre- 
hend the Infinite, and while at some future time 
the one may be consciously merged in the other, 
it is only (in the ordinary course of events) by 
degrees that we approach the condition of con- 
sciousness where we know the truth and the 



26 Christian Science 

truth can set us free. Further it appears to me 
that only by the exercise of faith can we progress 
beyond the bounds of human reason and learn 
more of the truth. If you will consider the progress 
of natural science so called in the past hundred 
years you will see that those who have pressed 
forward and pushed back the bounds of ignorance 
are those who exercised imagination — which may 
be another name for faith in relation to the ''things 
unseen'' concerning which they sought evidence. 
But don't you think lack of faith in the true may 
possibly also bring into seeming reality a false 
consciousness, the untrue ? Think of the outworn 
beliefs of the past which seemed reality to those 
who held them ! 

[ Therefore, I say again that all I hope to do is to 
give you the reasoning which led me to conviction 
with the full understanding both on your part and 
mine that neither your mind nor mine can go 
beyond a certain limit, and that the inferences 
derived from such reasoning as we can do must 
be used as the basis of faith in ''the substance of 
things hoped for and the evidence of things 
unseen." These inferences phis demonstration 
axe sufficient to guide the pathway of any man. 



CHAPTER II. 

*'IS GOD ALL?'* 

I had not read many pages in Mrs. Eddy's 
book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures j 
before I became convinced that the whole volume 
could be comprised in three words, i, e., ''God is 
All,'' for as I shall subsequently show, to my 
mind, the supplementary statement ''God is 
Good " is a logical necessity once the first mentioned 
statement is admitted. Further, I became con- 
vinced that if one admitted Mrs. Eddy's premises 
the admission of her conclusions became a logical 
necessity. Therefore, I laid the book dow^n and 
turned my mind toward the consideration of her 
main premise, i, e, "God is All," for at that time 
it did not seem to me, nor does it seem to me 
now, that I am called upon to accept, without 
examination, any statement which another may 
choose to make to me regarding a subject, which of 
necessity conditions everything which may sub- 
sequently be said ; as any opinion concerning Deity 
must. It appears to me that one could make almost 
any statement concerning the nature of Deity 

and found a philosophy on it, and if his premises 

27 



28 Christian Science 

were not attacked could make his conclusions 
seem probable. '*No man hath seen God at any 
time'* the Scriptures tell us, which to my mind is 
simply another way of saying that the finite and 
limited cannot understand the Infinite and un- 
limited. Many ideas of God have existed down 
through the ages, and usually the conditions 
under which men lived were limited very largely 
by the idea which they held on that subject. 
Therefore I said to myself, ''It seems to me most 
important for my own individual progress that I 
should see just what my idea of God is, and 
while I know that I cannot, because of limitation, 
understand him fully, it seems to me most impor- 
tant that I should get the highest concept which 
my present state of intelligence and the knowledge 
at my disposal will permit — always bearing in 
mind that there will be an un-understood some- 
thing toward which I will have to exercise the 
quality of faith (and intuition) and not the faculty 
of logic or carnal mind." 

So I set to work seriously (having many times 
before considered it casually), to see just what 
idea I had of God, irrespective of Mrs. Eddy. I 
said to myself, ' ' If I reach her premises, I will read 
and study her book further. If I cannot, there 
will be no need for we will never agree.'' 

The first thing thereafter that came to mind 
was the old question which so many have dis- 
cussed before me, ''Does God Exist?" for mani- 
festly if I could not convince myself of that, the 



"Is God AIl?^' 29 

rest of the premise became non-existent. Now 
as I have before specifically stated, I do not pre- 
tend to philosophical wisdom, and it may appear 
presumptuous in me to approach a question on 
which so many others have failed. Please bear 
in mind, therefore, that I am only trying to state 
things which are satisfactory to me, and lead me 
to the point where I am content to leave reason 
behind and trust to faith, intuition, and demon- 
stration. These reasons may not be sufficient to 
another, but they may help that other to progress 
further than I have in reasoning to the point 
where he is content to leave reason behind as I 
have been. I am adopting the platform for no 
one but myself. 

First of all, then, I record my conviction, which 
I seem to hold in common with nearly all men, 
that there is a God — that alone is sufficient, for 
me personally, but lest I be accused of failing in a 
step of importance to use that limited instrument 
''human reason,'' I also submit for consideration 
the following, which is neither a new or an original 
argument. I am not claiming originality — m^erely 
striving to state clearly for the comprehension of 
myself or some other common man. 

Let us start with the premise, that, as Mrs. 
Eddy says, all the sensible world around us is 
unreal and non-existent — what then remains? 
I think anyone will admit that independent of the 
world of sense, there is a world of ideas. Mani- 
festly every person has many ideas which have 



so 



Christian Science 



not in any way sprung from the testimony of the 
senses, either his own or those of another. Take 
the immortality of the soul, for instance. Very 
well, we are agreed, and Mrs. Eddy agrees, that 
spiritual ideas are real. Let us then for the 
moment take the attitude of the true agnostic 
and doubt the existence of everything — including 
ideas. What remains? It appears to me that 
even the most extreme agnostic will be forced to 
admit that it is not possible to have even an 
illusion of an idea (granting his position that 
ideas have not actual existence) without having 
something real which perceives. In other words 
it seems reasonable to suppose that there can be 
no perception without a perceiver, and that when 
I appear to have ideas, you can deny the ideas, 
but you have difficulty in denying the *'I.'' 
Otherwise, what is it that has the idea of denying 
something? In other words, if I perceive, I 
exist — cogito ergo sum — and if I exist, then so do 
you, and so do all the other people who have ever 
been in the world exist, though not as seemingly 
they do, in a state of separation from God. Where 
did they come from? Naturally, you say from 
something which exists, since like produces like. 
Then can you not perceive that when you have 
named that thing from which all that exists has 
sprung, you have but called God by another 
name? This may not be satisfactory to you — for 
myself, I feel that there is much more to be said 
some day which I now do not know — but for me, 



*as God All?" 31 

this represents the limit of reasoning on this 
matter, and beyond that I am content to leave 
reason behind, and say *'not by might, nor by 
power, but my [thy] spirit, saith the Lord." 

Again, can you name sny final cause of anything? 
If you will sit down and think carefully, I think 
you will undoubtedly conclude that all of the 
things you call causes and laws are but observa- 
tions of the way an unknown cause acts; of which 
cause you can know nothing save through spiritual 
understanding and which you cannot name 
other than to say, ' ' It is God who does it." I could 
form numerous examples to illustrate this fact, 
but prefer to leave it to your own thought. 

So, thus far I came and it seemed to me that I 
could know that there is a God. But what kind of 
a God is He? Again I express my inner conviction, 
which theoretically I seem to hold in common with 
nearly every other man, that he is an infinite 
God and altogether Good, but lest I again be 
accused of failing in an important step to use 
that instrument ''human reason," I submit the 
following. 

First, however, let me digress for a moment to 
make a few remarks concerning the word ''Infinite." 
Frankly, it is a word which conveys no concrete 
meaning to me whatever, and I doubt whether 
there is any one of my readers who understands 
just what it means. For instance, I sit down in 
my chair of an evening and try to think of infinite 
space — my mind goes out, and out, and out, and 



32 Christian Science 

out in an unending series, and then comes back 
like Noah's dove to the ark to rest because it 
finds no place where it can rest the sole of its 
foot. Try it and see. So I say that the word 
Infinite is simply a term I use in my ignorance, 
to cover that which I do not and cannot under- 
stand. Perhaps some day I shall; for the Bible 
says, '*This is life eternal that they might know 
thee the only true God" (John 17-3). But for 
the present, please understand that I know that 
being limited and boimded myself (in my present 
condition of consciousness) I cannot understand 
fully that which is unlimited and unbounded. 
Therefore, w^hen I use the term ''Infinite,'' it is 
intended to convey a confession of my inability 
at the present time to comprehend the word. 

Returning now to the discussion of the concep- 
tion of God, which seems to be the highest of 
which I can to-day conceive: — it seems to me 
that He who is the source of all the existences I 
have previously mentioned, must always have 
existed. I cannot conceive of that which is 
created out of nothing, and if the God I wish to 
know was created by another, then that other 
must be the source of life. Therefore, I say, 
that it seems to me that God must always have 
existed. In other words, that he has existed 
throughout infinite time. I know there is a 
conflict of terms here, for time is a concept of 
limitation and therefore cannot be infinite. But 
can you express it otherwise? I cannot conceive 



*^Is God All?'' 33 

of infinite time any more than I can of infinite 
space, but for the reasons I have stated, it seems 
to me that such a thing must be. The conception 
of a circle which so many use to typify that which 
is without beginning and without end, does not 
seem to me to meet the facts, for after all the 
area of that circle is limited, and there must 
have been a time when the line bounding it did 
not exist. Therefore, it cannot truly be said to 
be without beginning and without end, in time. 

So then, I conclude that God has existed always, 
and if He has existed always, it seems to me that 
He must have always had infinite power in order 
to sustain His existence. Can you conceive of a 
being who could sustain his life throughout infinite 
time, unless his knowledge and power had been 
infinite ? 

There is one idea which the word ''Infinite" 
does convey to me, and that is, the idea that if a 
thing be infinite, there is no room for anjrthing 
else. Think of something which fills infinite 
space. Yes, I know that the words are contradic- 
tions but can you express it any other way? 
Could there be anything else anywhere? So it 
seems to me that if God's power be infinite, there 
can be no room for any other power. 

Consider the matter in another light. Suppose 
that for a fraction of a second a power opposed 
to the supreme Power could exist. Can you not 
see that the mere idea of opposition to supreme 
Power carries with it the necessity, that while the 



34 Christian Science 

opposing power waSy supreme Power would have 
to be in abeyance, and therefore during that time 
that supreme Power would not be? That if at 
any time His existence were in abeyance, though 
only for an instant, He would have a beginning 
and an end in time, and therefore cannot be 
the Source ? 

So then I am satisfied to believe that God is 
All power, and that there is not and never has 
been a power in opposition to His. I next ask 
myself, ''What kind of power is God's?" Is it 
for good or evil or for both? 

Now I know that just here I am going to take 
issue with some very good friends who call them- 
selves ''Occultists," who hold that evil is just the 
opposite pole of good and that both exist as 
power in God; but here is how it appears to me. 
In order to sustain existence throughout infinite 
time, it appears to me that God must not only 
have been infinite power, but that he must have 
been infinite and positive power — indeed there is 
not such a thing as a negative power, for a power 
that can be qualified as negative is not power. 
Now suppose we examine the characteristics 
of evil — it is ^^structive, unjnst, unlawful^ and 
produces wnhappiness, and so on. I have been 
unable to find a single quality of evil which is not 
negative, in quality and effect. Therefore, it 
seems to me that such could not belong to the 
power we ascribe to God or indeed to any power 
at all. Therefore I conclude that God is Infinite 



^^s God All?'' 35 

Power and that that Infinite Power is altogether 
Good. Also that as this Good power is infinite 
{i. e,, filling all), there is no room left for another 
power called evil. Recurring to our former argu- 
ment, if there were, God could not have existed 
always and cannot be the Source. The same 
argument can be applied to infinite Truth. 

''A house divided against a house, falleth 
(Luke 11-17). Surely a God containing within 
Himself both evil and good would be as man 
seems to be to-day, ''A house divided against 
itself." 

Now let us see what the final conclusions we 
reach are. We seem to have persuaded ourselves 
that (i) God is Infinite = ALL. (2) He is 
Infinite Power = ALL POWER. (3) He is In- 
finite Good = ALL AND ALTOGETHER GOOD. 
(4) He is Infinite Truth = ALL AND ALTO- 
GETHER TRUTH, etc., down through all the 
positive qualities and characteristics you can 
think of. 

Now suppose we go back to the geometry class 
for a few minutes. You remember we learned 
there: — ''Things equal to the same thing are 
equal to each other." So let us state our prob- 
lem, viz.: 

GOD = ALL 

GOD = GOOD, TRUTH, SPIRIT, 

and any other positive quali- 
ties. 



36 Christian Science 

Therefore ALL = GOOD, TRUTH, SPIRIT, 

and any other positive quali- 
ties. 

Suppose we state the opposite of the proposition. 
GOD = ALL 

But GOD is not EVIL : UNTRUTH : MATTER : 

or any other negative qualities. 

Therefore, ALL is not EVIL: UNTRUTH: 
MATTER, or any other negative qualities. 

Therefore EVIL: UNTRUTH: MATTER, do 
not exist, except as a false state of consciousness, 
which is not in harmony with GOD and has no 
true reality. They are merely the false sense of the 
absence of something, which in reality is all present. 

You see it appears to me that by our course of 
reasoning we have come to exactly the conclusions 
reached by Mrs. Eddy in Science and Health. 
As I have said previously, I do not pretend to 
philosophical reasoning powers, and the things 
I have said may have faults in them that you will 
see and that I do not; but personally, this is as 
far as my limited understanding, or spiritual 
perception, will carry me. The things I have 
said give me personally sufficient basis on which 
to dismiss reasoning at this point and trust to 
that faith which is the ''substance of things 
hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." To 
bring my conclusions into real substance to my 
consciousness, I must exercise that faith toward 
spiritual and not toward material things. 



^*Is God AH?'' 37 

There are seeming contradictions in this course 
of reasoning, of which I will say more later; but 
mark this — they are contradictions which come 
about because of the reluctance one has to dis- 
credit the testimony of the physical senses; and 
further emphasize this to yourself, as between 
discrediting the evidence of physical senses, 
and denying the only conception of God which is a 
reality to him, it would seem as though anyone 
would choose to discredit material sense no matter 
how difficult it may be to do. It is freely granted 
that this observation is founded on the conception 
of God held by each individual. Unquestionably 
there are conceptions of Him which do not require 
such denial, though to the Christian Scientist 
such seem to be conceptions which fail to fully 
express the complete nature of Deity, His Allness 
and Altogether Goodness. May it not be also 
as I have elsewhere hinted, that this is just what 
we must do and that the exercise of that faith, 
which will make substance of those things hoped 
for, Hes between adherence {i. ^., faith in) our idea 
of God (which doubtless is still imperfect) and 
our adherence {i, e,, lack of faith in truth) to 
the testimony of sense; the exercise of that faith 
toward truth or its absence bringing into con- 
sciousness the substance of what we hope for 
(whether it be '' material' ' or spiritual). May 
it not further be true that the reason mankind 
is where it is to-day is because faith has not 
been exercised toward truth? ''This is the con- 



3^ Christian Science 

demnation that light is come into the world and 
men loved darkness rather than light because their 
deeds were evil'* (John 3-17) i. e., they exercise^ 
faith toward darkness. 

Without any wish to criticize I cannot see 
clearly how anyone who has stated a belief in an 
INFINITE, i. e., ALL, God, can admit another 
power called ''evil," or that any power or quality 
not positive has existence save as a false sense of 
the absence of something really present, — a state 
of consciousness in man which fails to perceive 
the ever-present truth. And I know that the 
only wish to do so must arise from the testimony 
of the physical senses. I quote here from Huxley 
(Huxley's Essays on Controverted Questions^ page 
181): 

Whoever asserts the existence of an omnipotent 
Deity, that he made and sustains all things, and is 
the Causa causarum, cannot, without a contradiction 
in terms, assert that there is any cause independent of 
him; and it is a mere subterfuge to assert that the cause 
of all things can ''permit'' one of these things to be an 
independent cause.^ 

Here let me say just a word to those very good 
people who fear losing what they call ''a personal 
God," if they accept a concept of Him such as 
I have outlined. Let me say clearly that if by 
a personal God, a God who is a person is meant, 

* See footnote page 24. 

* Reprinted with the permission of D. Appleton & Co. 



**Is God AH?'' 39 

I have nothing to say — for the idea I have outlined 
certainly does destroy such an idea. If on the 
other hand, by a personal God is meant one who 
has a personal interest in His children so real, 
that of all the millions of them there is not one 
whom He loves less than another — not one whose 
interests are unknown to Him, or uncared for by 
Him, not one to whom individually He is not 
ready to supply, and does supply all that is really 
worth while in life — then I do most emphatically 
deny the fear. Considering the millions of God's 
children existing here and elsewhere, I personally 
cannot see how a God who is less than ALL 
codld give them that which we seek in a personal 
God. This conception of Him, to me, and I 
believe to any man, draws Him immeasurably 
closer than before, for He is in a real sense every- 
where, and we are a part of Him. How could we 
exist, except as a part of Him, if He be Infinite, 
i.e. All? We need no other friend to help, for He 
is All and always near if we but raise our con- 
sciousness to perceive Him. ''In Him we live and 
move and have our being" (Bible). 

Now I am well aware what some of you are 
saying, for I said the same thing after my large 
gentleman friend woke up, ''That all sounds 
reasonable enough, but what becomes of what we 
are doing here in life, if this be true, and how can 
we have a perception of evil unless that which 
perceives it, exists? And if it exists, how can it 
perceive evil unless it have the germ of evil within 



40 Christian Science 

itself? And if it have, then something must exist 
that is evil. '' And '*We would like to hear some- 
thing about what some other people, people like 
Huxley, Spinoza, Tyndall, etc., have to say about 
this thing of the existence of matter, and if they 
think that maj^be it doesn't exist, is there any 
reason for thinking that that may be true except 
a lot of abstract reasoning which starts with some- 
thing we know nothing about anyway? " etc., etc. 
Yes, I asked them all and then some — and I am 
later going to give you the answers I made to 
myself. Perhaps they won't be good answers to 
you but they did satisfy me to some extent and 
perhaps they will help you to get some answer 
that will be more satisfactory for you, but that 
must come all in good time. I must get through 
with one thing before I can begin with another. 
First, for the benefit of those good people who have 
been brought up as I have, to look to the Bible 
for the answer to most of their problems, I want 
to quote some passages, which seem to me to have 
been written with the intention of teaching an idea 
of God similar to that I have just outlined. Please 
read and study the quotations. From them you 
can learn far more than from the book itself. 

The passages to which I refer follow, and in 
reading them, please understand that I can see 
all through the Bible a literal and a spiritual 
meaning, both of which may be true. As I have 
said, these passages were taken by me from the 
Bible during two years of study. I have used 






' 



**Is God AH?'' 41 

them as a means of demonstrating the power of 
Truth. Try the same method and see what 
interpretations you reach for yourself. I do not 
ask you to accept mine for each man must tread 
his own pathway to Truth. 

I end this chapter by saying, ''Try this way 
now if you have not before, for only by demon- 
stration of its effects can you know that giving 
all power to God as a reality in your life will 
accomplish many wonderful things in which you 
cannot believe till you have seen them face to 
face instead of through a glass darkly.'' 

IS GOD ALL AND ALTOGETHER GOOD? 

Note: Only a few quotations bearing on this subject are 
given here but anyone who will study the Bible in the light of 
these beliefs will find innumerable places where the nature of 
God is plainly set forth. 

Deut. 4:35. Unto thee it was shewed, that thou 
mightest know that the Lord, he is God; there is none 
else beside him, [None = no one; pretty inclusive; 
sounds to me like ALL.] 

Hebrews 7:3. Without Father, without mother, 
without descent, having neither beginning of days, 
nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; 
abideth a priest continually. 

Deut. 32:3, 4. I will publish the name of the 
Lord; ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the 
Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judg- 
ment: a God of truth and without iniquity [Sounds 
like altogether Good], just and right is he. 



42 Christian Science 

From the three preceding. -4Z/ = without iniquity. 
Can a Good tree bring forth evil fruit ? 

Jeremiah 23:23, 24. Am I a God at hand, saith 
the Lord, and not a God afar off? Can any hide 
himself in secret places that I shall not see him? 
saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith 
the Lord. 

I John 4:7, 8. Beloved, let us love one another: 
for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is bom 
of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not 
knoweth not God ; for God is love. Can a good tree 
bring forth evil fruit? 

Acts 17:28, 29. For in Him we live, and move 
and have our being; Forasmuch then as we are the 
offspring of God, we ought not to think that the God- 
head is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by 
art and man's device. — [Bodies of men.] 

Habakkuk 1:12, 13. Art thou not from ever- 
lasting, Lord, my God, mine Holy One? we shall 
not die [consciousness of continuity of life], O Lord, 
thou hast ordained them for judgment; and mighty 
God, thou hast established them for correction. Thou 
art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not 
look on iniquity [In Him we live, and move, and have 
our being. Can a good tree bring forth evil fruit ?] ; 
wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacher- 
ously, and boldest thy tongue when the wicked de- 
voureth the man that is more righteous than he? 

Gen. 1 : 26. And God said, Let us make man 
in our image, after our likeness, and let them have 
dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl 
of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, 
and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the 
earth. Can a good tree bring for^h evil fruit? 



"Is God All?" 43 

Ecc. 3:14, 15. I know that, whatsoever God 
doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, 
nor anything taken from it: and God doeth it, that 
men should fear before him. That which hath been is 
now; and that which is to be hath already been; and 
God requireth that which is past. [And yet God 
made All Goody so the Bible says; what then of evil?] 
And God saw everything that he had made, and 
behold it was very good. Genesis i : 31. 

Psalm 145:13. Thy kingdom is an everlasting 
kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all 
generations. 

Psalm 62:11. God hath spoken once; twice have 
I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. [What 
of the power of evil?] 

Isaiah 40:21, 22, 28. Have ye not known? have 
ye not heard? hath it not been told you from 
the beginning? have ye not understood from the 
foundations of the earth? It is he that sitteth upon 
the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof 
are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens 
as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to 
dwell in: Hast thou not known? Hast thou not 
heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator 
of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is 
weary? there is no searching of his understanding. 

I, John 2:16. For all that is in the world, the 
lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the 
pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 
[How plainer could it be stated that the carnal law is 
foolishness to God and is man's law, not God's?] 

Numbers 14:21. But as truly as I live, all the 
earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord. 

I. Kings 8:27. But will God indeed dwell on 



44 Christian Science 

the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens 
cannot contain thee; how much less this house that 
I have builded? 

II. Chronicles 2:6. But who is able to build him 
an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens 
cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should 
build him an house, save only to bum sacrifices 
before him? 

II. Chronicles 6: i8. But will God in very deed 
dwell with men on the earth ? behold, heaven and the 
heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much 
less this house which I have built ! 

Job 11:7, 8, 9. Canst thou by searching find 
out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty unto 
perfection? 

It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper 
than hell; what canst thou know? 

The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and 
broader than the sea. 

Psalm 139:7-12. Whither shall I go from thy 
spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If 
I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make 
my bed in hell, behold thou art there. If I take the 
wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost 
parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, 
and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely 
the darkness [my sense of matter] shall cover me; 
even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the 
darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth 
as the day: the darkness [matter, untruth] and the 
light [spirit, truth] are both alike to thee. [If both 
are alike, one cannot exist. Toward which do you 
prefer to exercise your faith ?] 

Habakkuk 2:14. For the earth shall be filled 



^^s God AH?'' 45 

with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the 
waters cover the sea. 

Hebrews 4:12. For the word of God is quick, 
and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged 
sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul 
and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a 
discemer of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 

James 1:17. Every good gift and every perfect 
gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father 
of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither 
shadow of turning. [How about evil ?] 

Job 26:7, 10, 14. He stretcheth out the north 
over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon 
nothing. 

He hath compassed the waters with bounds, until 
the day and night come to an end. 

Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a 
portion is heard of him? But the thunder of his 
power who can understand? 

Psalm 19:1. The heavens declare the glory of 
God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork. 

Psalm 90:1. Lord, thou hast been our dwelling 
place in all generations. 

Psalm 91:1. He that dwelleth in the secret place 
of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the 
Almighty. 

Romans 1 1 : 36. For of him, and through him and 
to him are all things. 

[In him we live and move and have our being.] 



CHAPTER III. 

CONTRADICTIONS. 

Perhaps one of the consequences of trying to 
reason about the Infinite, i. e., what is regarded as 
the un-understandable, with the human reason, 
is, that we must meet with contradictions. I have 
met with them in every system of philosophy I 
have ever read. For instance, the Occultists 
say that God is both infinite evil and infinite 
good (for saying that He has within Himself both 
good and evil is equivalent to that), and it appears 
to me that for both Infinite Good and infinite 
evil to exist is impossible. Again, many good 
Protestant beliefs credit an infinite God who is 
infinitely Good with first creating a perfect man 
and then permitting him to sin, after God Himself 
had created him in His own image and likeness. 
It seems impossible to me that evil, or the tempta- 
tion of evil, negativeness, could have come out of 
that which was all good, or that such a sequence 
of events could have proceeded from that which 
was altogether good; or that that which was all 
spirit could ever have produced matter, or that 
infinite goodness could have ever sacrificed His 

46 



Contradictions 47 

son to appease His anger. *'A good tree cannot 
bring forth evil fruit" (Bible). Many good people 
believe these things but without criticism. I say 
I cannot. 

So, too, there are things in Mrs. Eddy's book 
which seem to me (reasonably speaking) to be il- 
logical. For instance, as I have elsewhere hinted, 
she says, *'Evil does not exist. '* I agree; then I 
ask, *'What is it that perceives illusions of evil?'' 
and she answers, ''mortal mind." And I say, 
**Well, if mortal mind perceives illusions of evil, 
it must itself be evil." And she answers, *'Yes, 
it is." And I say, *'Well, if mortal mind be evil, 
something must exist beside God, if God be al- 
together Good." ''No," she says, "mortal mind 
does not exist." And I say, "Well, if mortal 
mind does not exist, how can it have perceptions? " 
And I don't get any answer except that mortal 
mind is a dream state, which calls itself a dreamer 
but really is non-existent, which doesn't utterly 
satisfy me because even if it be true, it seems to 
me that there must be an existent even though 
negative and inert mind back of a dream. 

I have f otmd one man who attempts to answer the 
argimient that there can be no perception without 
a perceiver, by saying that this idea comes from a 
confused state of thought, incident upon think- 
ing of mind as something contained within the 
individual. This does not satisfy me because in 
the first place I do not think of mind in the way 
described — and in the second place looking upon 



48 Christian Science 

mind as an uncontained concept, I still cannot 
see how that mind even though uncontained could 
have perceptions, even though they be percep- 
tions within mind, unless it had existence. I can 
well believe however that the state of conscious- 
ness I am now in, may, in point of time, when com- 
pared with the whole of my existence, be very 
short. When I go to sleep at night I dream, 
and my dreams are just as logical and connected 
to me as my daily ''life." The ''matter" I 
know in dreams is just as real to me as the "matter" 
I know in the daytime. I find nothing impossible 
in believing that the whole of a "lifetime" as 
known to you and me is but a "dream" of a 
consciousness which is dreaming inert and nega- 
tive {i. e.j diffused mortal mind) for a time which 
in comparison with the whole of its existence is 
no longer than our night time dreams are when 
compared with the whole of our presently known 
life, be it fifty or a hundred years long. I can 
plainly see that this mortal existence may be a 
dream, just as Mrs. Eddy says it is — but I cannot 
reasonably explain to myself how that dream can 
be, unless there is a real existent dreamer (even 
though uncontained and inactive) back of the 
dream. None the less, if asserting reality for that 
dreamer denies the idea of God, which seems a 
necessity to me, I am ready to deny^ even though 
for the time being I can only see through a glass 
darkly and not fully understand. I 

Again, Mrs. Eddy says real man is perfect, ! 



Contradictions 49 

which I think may be true — but I say if the real 
man be perfect, and ** mortal man'' doesn't exist, 
there is to be sure an incentive in putting off the 
old man, the carnal mind which is non-existent, 
and bringing it to the point \vhere it will dis- 
appear and the real or Christ man who is not a 
dreamer will appear, but how can something 
which is non-existent disappear anyway, because 
if it disappear, it must have had appearance some- 
time, and so on. This suggests the scripture, 
'*If this earthly house of our tabernacle were 
dissolved," etc., (John). 

Mrs. Eddy's book has been called extremely 
illogical. — On the contrary, to me it is one of the 
most logical books I have ever read. Perhaps 
in view of the foregoing, you will fail to see what 
I mean — but here it is. Suppose I say, or Mrs. 
Eddy admits, that the imperfect man exists, 
what is the consequence? Simply this, that 
if he exist, God cannot be All and altogether 
good, for either evil (belief) came forth from Him, 
or He permitted a sense of the absence of good, 
named ''evil," to exist and torture man, in which 
case He cannot be either All or altogether good. 
Further my inability to understand how a non- 
existent thing can produce a sense of the absence 
of good may he simply due to the reluctance of 
that part of my being which is writing this hook 
to admit its own nothingness and to its inability 
to perceive beyond the bounds of sense. In other 
words, I think the longer I read Mrs. Eddy's 



50 Christian Science 

book, that she saw the same difficulty that I do. 
She found it hard to construct through the ob- 
struction of that material instrument, the human 
mind, a spiritual statement of truth. But she 
said J ''I will not deny my idea of God. And if the 
thing which seems to exist in absence of good comes 
to me and demands recognition as a reality, I will 
deny it, for to grant it is to dishonor the concep- 
tion of God which is a necessity to my life/' In 
other words, to my mind the difference between this 
system and others is, that while all are illogical 
from the standpoint of the human mind, Mrs. 
Eddy denies the untruths of sense {i. c, absence 
of truth) in order to preserve her idea of God, 
while other systems have compromised with the 
untruths of sense (absence of truth) and thereby 
have destroyed the idea of an infinite God with 
which they originally started. Moreover going 
beyond the bounds of human reason again, I 
find that when I act on the principles set forth in 
Mrs. Eddy's book, I obtain results both in health 
and in peace of mind which I can get in no other 
way, and after all this is the crux of the whole 
matter; truth, if it he truth , is demonstrable , and 
the ability to obtain results in this way and in no 
other is demonstration. Try it yourself and see. 

I must confess that the Occultist idea of meta- 
physical healing seems to me to be more logical 
and capable of explanation than that of the 
Christian Scientists, founded on the supposition, 
as I understand it to be, that there is a conscious 



Contradictions 51 

side to every atom, and that by effecting that 
consciousness or appealing to it the reconstruction 
of tissue, for instance, can be effected — never- 
theless, I have found, in my own case at least, that 
results can be accomplished by consistently re- 
garding matter as unreal which cannot be reached 
by the other method. I am forced therefore to the 
conclusion for myself, at least, that there is more 
of truth in the Christian Science viewpoint than 
there is in that of the Occultists. 

Having said this, I have said all that I can say 
about the one illogicality which appears to me 
in my present conception of Christian Science 
to be in Mrs. Eddy's book. I cannot myself say 
why, or supply a good reason why God should 
permit us to have this dream state which appears 
to cause so much suffering. I can see that, from a 
human standpoint, mortals may be (yes, the word 
does imply existence which I can only arbitrarily 
deny, because it conflicts with my conception of 
God) spiritually inert^ sleeping, dreaming, as Mrs. 
Eddy says, and that these experiences will finally 
awake our latent spiritual powers to their dynamic 
use and to harmony with God's law. But 
while it may be humanly true that no one can 
awake save by suffering and his own experience 
out of the dream, why is it necessary? It is safe 
none the less to believe despite my lack of under- 
standing that an all powerful God created us 
perfect, without any potentiality of illusions, 
and I confess that for me there is here something 



52 Christian Science 

. I. ' 

hid in the mind of God and I am content to leave 
it there till He reveals it, and to go on knowing 
that He is altogether good and that evil therefore 
cannot exist, no matter how real its seeming may be 
to human consciousness which is at variance 
with God's law. The Christian Scientist prefers 
to deny himself rather than to deny the only idea 
of God which satisfies his spiritual understanding. 
Have you ever thought in this connection of the 
passage *'If any man will come after me, let him 
deny himself, and take up his cross and follow 
me"? Deny thyself. This does not mean, as we 
shall see later, denying anything good which now 
exists in life. 

With this I end this chapter, promising again 
that I will later give you my own answers to the 
other queries I propounded in the last part of the 
last chapter, and ending again with the state- 
ment, *'Try this way if you have not and see if you 
do not get results that you can never otherwise 
obtain." ''By their fruits ye shall know them." 









CHAPTER IV 

DOES MATTER HAVE REALITY? CHRISTIAN SCI- 
ENCE AND THE PHYSICAL SCIENCES, 
INCLUDING MEDICINE." 

I WISH to begin this chapter by repeating in a 
new form what I have previously otherwise 
stated, viz.:— That if one finds his premises in 
spiritual fact and reasons inductively, he will prob- 
ably reach the same conclusions reached by Mrs. 
Eddy. If, on the other hand, one finds his prem- 
ises in physical sense, and reasons deductively, 
there is grave danger that they will not be reached. 

However, for the sake of those who wish to 
argue from the basis of known fact, there is much 
more to be said for Mrs. Eddy's doctrine than is 
commonly supposed. I am surprised to find that 
many if not most persons are of the opinion that 
when Mrs. Eddy doubts the existence of matter, 
she is taking a completely new and revolutionary 
step in the world's history. On the contrary, 

^I have In this chapter used the term "false thought" fre* 
quently. I ask in reading that the term "absence of thought" 
be borne in mind and substituted as an alternate phrase. Possibly 
this may throw light on the nature of "mortal mind'' and the 
"law of sin and death." 

53 



54 Christian Science 

some of the sanest and most highly regarded 
minds in the history of the world have entertained 
the same doubts; indeed, for myself, I can say 
that I have seldom read a philosophical work in 
which the author was willing definitely to state 
that he knew matter existed, or could adduce a 
satisfactory proof of its existence. The attitude 
of most of the men, whose works I have read, is 
that they cannot prove that matter does not 
exist, neither can they prove that it does. They 
also say that they cannot prove that Spirit exists, 
therefore, they adopt one of four attitudes: 
either they call themselves agnostics and attempt 
to doubt everything; or they believe in material 
life to the exclusion of Spirit, because they can 
see, taste, feel, hear, and smell material life; or 
they believe in a mixture of spiritual life and 
material life because they can see, taste, feel, hear, 
or smell material life, and don't like the sensations 
— hoping for something better; or they believe 
in spiritual life to the exclusion of material, which 
to me seems the attitude which soonest leads 
to that knowledge of good which is eternal life. 
And again, I ask, ''Is not this just the kind of a 
situation you would logically expect to find, if, 
as before surmised, we are placed here between 
truth and not truth; are expected to use our human 
reason, only up to a certain point, and beyond 
that point, to depend for our knowledge on the 
faith (or lack of faith) which brings into substance 
the things hoped for?" 



Does Matter Have Reality? 55 

If we were able to prove those things through 
our physical senses, where would be the province 
of that faith by which alone the knowledge of 
the world has been developed? I believe a similar 
suggestion is made in the Bible where it says that 
we hope for the eternal things unseen, but if we 
could see them there would be no need of hoping. 

Again let me remind you that it has taken just 
as much of faith, or lack of faith, to beUeve some 
of the things known to-day by Orthodox Science, 
before they were known by proof, as it does to-day 
to believe in metaphysical cure of disease before 
its methods are charted. And I repeat, is it not 
also true that your beHef will depend on whether 
you exercise faith toward truth or exercise it not 
at all, beHeving solely on the testimony of sense? 

''Where your treasure is, there will your heart 
be also." Mankind's treasure is and its faith has 
been exercised toward material things {i. e., it has 
not been ''exercised'' toward Spirit). They have 
"loved darkness rather than light," hence, ma- 
terial things appear more real than spiritual things 
to them, and this is the condemnation. 

But recurring to the things to be said in favor 
of Mrs. Eddy's doctrine from a material point of 
view, I speak again of Huxley. Now, Mr. Huxley, 
while many disagree with him, I think will be 
admitted as among the sane, and as of a keen, 
analytical, incisive type of mind. I find that on 
page 166 of his Essays on Controverted Questions 
he says anent the bounds of physical science: 



56 Christian Science 

Take the simplest possible example, the feeling 
of redness. Physical science tells us that it commonly 
arises as a consequence of molecular changes propa- 
gated from the eye to a certain part of the sub- 
stance of the brain when vibrations of the luminiferous 
ether of a certain character fall upon the retina. Let 
us suppose the process of physical analysis pushed 
so far that one could view the last link of this chain of 
molecules, watch their movement as if they were 
billiard balls, weigh them, measure them, and know 
all that is physically knowable about them. Well, 
even in that case we should be just as far from being 
able to include the resulting phenomena of conscious- 
ness, the feeling of redness, within the hounds of 
physical science as we are at present,^ 

Now my advice to you is to stop for a few 
moments and let this soak in. I had to, and after 
it had soaked for a time, I said to myself — ^what 
does this mean? Why, it just means this, that 
the quality of redness in a thing is possibly not 
a quality of the thing itself but something supplied 
to the thing by a certain something outside the 
possibility (at present at least) of understanding 
through the physical sciences. Air. Huxley goes 
on to doubt whether there is any such thing, and 
therefore not being able to prove to himself 
the reality of either Spirit or matter (and no 
wonder, since Spirit is incognizable to the physical 
senses) "corruption cannot inherit incorruption " 
(Bible), he calls himself an ''agnostic." If having 

» Reprinted with the permission of D. Appleton & Co. 



Does Matter Have Reality ? 57 

reasoned to this limit, he had used the faith 
which is the ''substance of things hoped for,'' 
and exercised it in the direction of Spirit, he would 
have called himself an ''idealist,'* which is really 
another name for a Christian Scientist. He 
failed to exercise it toward Spirit, and therefore 
he had to be either an agnostic or a materialist. 
And again I ask, is not this just such a condition 
as you would expect to find if as previously hinted 
we may be placed here by our own lack of know- 
ledge, without the ability of actually proving 
these things through the medium of the physical 
senses and with the obligation placed upon us to 
exercise that "faith which is the substance of 
things hoped for,'' in the direction of spiritual 
truth?, Existence, as I shall subsequently say, 
seems to me to be a continuous succession of 
states of consciousness. That which you are 
not conscious of, to you, does not exist. If you 
were not conscious of a sense of matter, and all 
other men in the world were likewise, matter 
would not even seem to exist. But of that more 
hereafter. 

Let us go back for the moment to Mr. Huxley's 
statement regarding the fact that the feeling of 
redness may not be a quality of a thing itself, 
and lest there be any doubt of his attitude as 
regards the existence of matter, let me quote 
again from him to the effect that "Matter is the 
hypothetical substance of physical phenomena." 
In other words, while he does not know whether 



58 Christian Science 

it does or does not exist, it is from his point of 
view merely something which he uses to account 
for his sensations. An hypothesis you know 
is something that always goes about with an 
''if hung around its neck like a millstone around 
the neck of a drowning cat. What Mr. Huxley in 
effect says is, *'If my sensations be true, then mat- 
ter must be a fact, '' but as seen above he also says 
that his sensations may not be true, for while he 
has the sensation that redness is a quaUty inherent 
in things, he proves by reason that his sensations 
in that regard are possibly untrue. Therefore, 
his dying cat being dead, his argument is the 
millstone. He does not assert the existence or 
non-existence of qualities in things. He simply 
says, *'I do not know. I cannot prove the exist- 
ence of matter.'' 

But let us recur again to the statement that the 
feeling of redness may not be quality inherent in a 
thing, but a perception of something outside of 
physical science, and let us call that thing ''mind, " 
which is as good a name for it as any other and 
far more satisfactory than the agnostic belief in 
nothing. What are the consequences logically 
of Mr. Huxley's statement? Why, simply this: 
The quality of redness may be not a quality of. a 
thing but something supplied to that thing by 
mind (Mr. Huxley makes no assertion one way or 
the other), and if the quality of redness, why 
not the quality of hardness, and why not the qual- 
ity of denseness, and the quality of blueness, and 



ii 



Does Matter Have Reality? 59 

the quality of swollen jaw, or any other quality 
you may wish to name? Now, think a minute. 
Take a chair. Think of it. It appears to be a 
red chair, but Mr. Huxley says the redness may 
not be in the chair — he doesn't say where it is 
but I have supplied the mind he left out, and am 
exercising my jaith toward it and not toward 
* 'matter,'* since no proof is possible save by de- 
monstration. Exercising your faith also in this 
direction, take all the qualities of the chair: 
weight, density, height, — name them all, good or 
bad, and you can do the same thing, so that 
the final consequence of Mr. Huxley's remark 
is that you can and have, by faith exercised toward 
mind, subtracted all the qualities of the chair 
and perceived that they are not^ things in the 
chair but ideas in mind; and by this I mean 
God {Universal mind) as regards the true ideas ^ 
and man's false consciousness of these ideas as 
regards the untrue ones. 

Stop again and think. What then becomes of 
the chair? Plainly it has been translated from a 
thing into a concept of mind. Without qualities 
in itself it has no objective (so-called) existence. 
Take your body instead of the chair and go 
through the same process. What is the result? 
Plainly that the body is a concept of mind. Con- 
versely it would appear that carnal, mortal mind 
is that seeming mind which ascribes qualities to 

^ Without the exercise of faith you' could at least say "may 
not be." 



6o Christian Science 

things instead of to ideas. Mrs. Eddy says 
(and I agree with her) that it is necessary in order 
to preserve our idea of God to deny reality to this 
mind, but that is not because I, at least, under- 
stand how a non-existent mind can produce even 
illusions, but frankly because it seems necessary if 
I am to be true to my idea of God, and because I 
would rather deny the testimony of my material 
senses than deny what the Bible and my spiritual 
perceptions teach me of Him. 

I am simply going through this course of reason- 
ing in order to show that in asserting that matter 
does not have reality, Mrs. Eddy is taking a step 
which is not so revolutionary as it seems, for quite 
evidently Mr. Huxley's opinions, and I may say 
the opinions of many of the world's brightest 
minds, when reduced to what they really mean, 
come very close to being the same as those of 
Christian Science, as we have seen. 

I was very much surprised the other day to 
have a friend of mine who has spent most of his 
life in studying scientific electricity say to me, 
*'I do not see how anyone can assert the existence 
of matter.'' Then he went on to give his reasons. 
I suggest that you try the same thing with some 
of your scientific friends and see what answers 
you get. 

Mrs. Eddy merely asserts, on the evidence of her 
spiritual senses, what others, using human logic 
as a basis, say they are in ''doubt about." Is this 
not a good example again of the fact that faith, 



Does Matter Have Reality? 6i 

understanding, and demonstration condition your 
world ? 

Returning to the chair from which we have 
abstracted all qualities, as an objective reality, 
what finally remains of the chair, after this 
process has been completed? Nothing of the 
chair as you knew it, but mark this, there still 
remains the idea of that chair and there still 
remains the idea of any useful and good thing 
you may have been accustomed to. So Mrs. 
Eddy says that, in reality, we live in a world of the 
ideas of God, God's thoughts or children. You 
ask as I did, ''Why, then, does everyone see things 
alike?" 

How do you know that they do see things abso- 
lutely alike? It has been well said that to one 
mind a stone is a stone and nothing else, but to 
another it presents the universe of God. But 
granting that it be true that all persons see the 
same thing in the same way, can you not account 
for that on the basis of our original hypothesis? 
''In Him we live and move and have our being. '' 
In other words, you, I, and everyone else are 
parts of the One Universal Mind and, naturally, 
we can see nothing true that has not existed always 
in that mind. Consequently, we all see ideas 
with Spiritual mind on the general plan, which has 
always existed in that mind. All being parts of 
the same whole, we see things alike. 

But mark this also. We seem to have a false 
sense of separation from the One Mind. The 



62 Christian Science 

term mortal mind as used by Mrs. Eddy does not 
mean just your mortal mind alone, but mortal 
mind appears to be also a universal mind which 
has the false sense of separateness from the One 
Mind and division into many minds — you might 
speak of it as the consensus of all the false beliefs 
regarding matter which have been held by men 
ever since man appeared in the world. 

Consequently, sharing as you do in that mind, 
also you seem to not only perceive your own false 
beliefs but those of massed human opinion (false 
consciousness). You appear to see false things 
also as other men through material sense see 
them. And please note — it is the sense of matter 
which produces the sense of separation from God. 
If you ascribed reality to spiritual ideas, instead of 
to things which mortal sense objectifies, you would 
externalize the things which are eternal, if any, 
and would consciously know them as within and 
not separate from the One Mind. There would be 
no separation, no ''sense of matter.'' All this on 
the hypothesis that all see things alike in physical 
sense, which as a matter of fact I do not grant, for 
personally I believe that there is a vast difference 
in the concept which different so-called human 
minds have of the same idea. 

Possibly here is where many people misunder- 
stand Christian Science, for I find that to many 
it seems ridiculous that any one man could pro- 
duce for himself all the things which Mrs. Eddy 
says are illusions to him, out of his own carnal mind. 



Does Matter Have Reality? 63 

Anyone who understands Mrs. Eddy's doctrine 
in this way is laboring under a misapprehension, 
for it is very clear to me, and I think is clear to 
Christian Scientists also, that by *' mortal mind'' 
she means just what I have stated, i, e,, that con- 
sensus of mortal opinions, enforced by mortal 
mind, down through the history of millions of 
years, which the Bible calls the '* carnal mind," 
which is subject to the *'Law of sin and death." 

By this I do not mean that the eternal ideas of 
God have been changed or affected, but merely 
that a human sense of these true ideas has, by 
means of massed human opinion, been warped and 
made untrue, through a sense of matter which 
brings about an imtrue sense of separation from 
God. 

Let us see if we can express this in plainer terms 
—I am simply trying to express an idea of Mrs. 
Eddy's Science which has come to seem reasonable 
to me. God is all and spiritual man is his expres- 
sion (Mrs. Eddy also says *' reflection"). The 
real man's life is an expression of God, there 
being no reality in so-called material things which 
are the thoughts of mortals. All is in, and of, 
Mind ; the One Mind. If you build a church you 
are giving expression to an idea of God, in so far as 
the church expresses beauty and truth, and the 
advance of mankind has come and will come in a 
truer conception and expression of God's ideas; 
though the real spiritual man is perfect and has 
the potentiality of fully expressing God now. 



64 Christian Science 

But mortal mind (which cannot exist if God be 
All, because it is not a likeness of God) has injected 
into the idea of a church, we will say the material 
belief of density, weight, matter, the idea of 
separation from the One Mind, or any quality of 
^nharmony you may name, which qualities as Mr. 
Huxley again seems to hold may not be qualities 
of things, but may be injected as an idea of mortal 
mind. In the same way, God's idea or your body 
exists, but it is a perfect idea and the concepts of 
negativeness, matter, density, sin, sickness, and 
death, with their consequences, which seem to be 
yours in connection with it, are not realities but 
false concepts of mortal mind, since being inhar- 
monious, they cannot be a part of God's plan, if 
He be altogether Good. In other words, the One 
Mind and its ideas are the whole of existence. 
Nothing external to Mind (God) exists, and your 
sense of separation from the One Mind and of 
evil (lack of spiritual development) are concepts of 
an unreal carnal dream which is not of God and 
therefore is not existent — a false sta.te of conscious- 
ness which would not even seem to exist, if true 
Mind (God) were fully understood. 

Let me give you another thought w^hich has 
come to me lately regarding the end of it all. 

First let me quote : 

This is eternal life that they should know thee [God], 
At that day ye shall know that I am in the Father, 
and ye in me, and I in you. John 14: 20. 



f 



Does Matter Have Reality? 65 

I in them and thou in me, that they may be made 
perfect in one, John 17: 23. 

That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in 
me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us. 
John 17: 21. 

Can you not see that if you knew Him (God — 
see first verse above), that is, if you had the 
same consciousness He has, and which He gave 
you when He expressed in you His own image and 
likeness, you would from the standpoint of mental 
life (God being All) have not only the individual 
consciousness you know to-day, but also that of all 
other men. You would not only he conscious 
of your spiritual identity, but you would be 
(from the viewpoint that life is mental) also 
aware of the divine nature of the sons and daugh- 
ters of God and of their Oneness with God and 
therefore of their Oneness in quality with yourself 
— and that without the loss of your individuality. 
In other words, knowing God — i. e.j knowing your- 
self as an emanation of God, or having the same 
consciousness as God — would make you and all 
other men ''perfect in One'' and we ii. e., all men) 
would in that state of consciousness ''be one " (and 
at the same time be our individual selves); *'as 
thou Father art in me, and I in Thee, that they 
also may be one in us." A state of consciousness 
including, at one and the same time, individual 
{i, e.y they also be one) and universal consciousness. 
You would, in this consciousness, lose a sense of 



66 Christian Science 

separation but not a sense of true individuality. 
You would perfectly reflect, or manifest as Mrs. 
Eddy says, an idea of universal Mind. Also 
things which now seem external would con- 
sciously be within and you would in fact see that 
the mental impulses which give you the effects 
of matter (separation from God) are false. 

Please remember that mankind, if life is con- 
tinuous, and it seems that it must be, if God be 
Infinite, must have had a long time in which to 
accomplish the building up of these false beliefs 
which never were if God is All. Madam Blavat- 
sky gives them a tremendously long period, 
thus admitting their reality. And right here let 
me revert to the statement formerly made to the 
effect that I have read The Secret Doctrine, It is a 
work of three huge volumes. It appears to me to 
be a relation of how man came to sink into this 
illusion of matter, — a history of so-called mortal 
mind which is not of God. For those who are 
not familiar with her thought, it should perhaps 
be said that it is based on the supposition that 
there are different kinds of matter surrounding us, 
some of the kinds being imperceptible to the 
ordinary physical senses. I believe this has been 
partially verified by Orthodox Science and it 
seems also to be indicated in the Bible. When a 
man dies, as we call it, he takes on, according to 
Occultist belief, a body composed of all the good 
and all the evil, which (evil) he has not destroyed, 
and for a time pursues his development in an- 



f 



Does Matter Have Reality? 67 

other plane of matter (belief) . We are, according 
to this beHef, constantly surrounded with beings 
imperceptible to our physical senses, but per- 
ceptible to other latent and undeveloped senses, 
unless we develop our truly spiritual sense with 
which to destroy them (rise in consciousness above 
them). Now, I have no doubt that much that is 
written on this subject is true from a mortal mind 
standpoint. Indeed, I have myself experienced 
some things that are difficult to account for on 
any other hypothesis. Nevertheless, I have come 
to this conclusion, that the Secret Doctrine is 
the history of carnal, mortal mind and that no 
matter where you meet with *' material' ' things, 
be it here, or on some other plane, they are, 
except as to the ideas they dimly travesty, with- 
out true reality. Madam Blavatsky admits as 
much and then treats them as though they were 
real, while Mrs. Eddy dismisses the whole matter 
with the remark that life is continuous without 
the attempt to describe the conditions under 
which it is continuous, and states that the thing 
to do is to raise your consciousness above all 
planes of matter. 

I wish to be very definitely understood as to this 
matter of Occultism. I have read many books on 
the subject, among them Blavatsky, Besant, 
Leadbeater, Ingalese, and Rudolph Steiner. I 
have experienced for myself the truth of much 
that is said in such books as to the existence of 
super-physical worlds; none the less, at the 



68 Christian Science 

end of years of thought, I come to this conclusion — 
that the ''super-physicar* worlds described, are 
none of them '* super-material, " and that at 
the end of the Occultist's journey (as he will tell 
you himself), just as at the end of every other 
journey in the world, is the One Mind — and 
the Law of the spirit of Christ. 

*'In my Father's house are many mansions," 
but there is but one way to those mansions, the 
way of Truth. Mr. Rudolph Steiner, whose 
works interest me immensely, has described in 
his Way of Initiation, as other Occultists likewise, 
what to them is the shorter way. I do not believe 
that even the way thus described by Mr. Steiner 
is the path our way shower, Christ Jesus, trod, 
for I believe that by seeking Spirit first, and having 
interest in so-called material things only as they 
conduce, by avoidance, to spiritual progression for 
all, much of the experience outlined in the Way of 
Initiation as a necessity is found to be only a path- 
way to be retraced and longer than the shortest 
one to the goal; the short way being faith in the 
Christ Mind and its power and allness. None the 
less, it appears to me that Occultists, as all other 
men, are seeking the ultimate of unity with God 
by needlessly long pathways which through ex- 
perience will lead them into the one true path 
trod by Christ Jesus. 

In one of his books Mr. Steiner states that 
Spirit cannot manifest except through form, I 
do not know whether he would agree with me or 



Does Matter Have Reality? 69 

not, but to myself I do not seem to have said 
anything essentially different. I have said, and 
substantiated it with other opinions, that so- 
called '"forms" are in reality not ''material," 
but radiata, mental phenomena giving effect or 
manifestation to Spirit (God), and that mortal 
man has injected into these ideas a false " material' ' 
sense, which seems to separate the ideas of God 
from the One Mind and divide them into many 
minds. Possibly, I have used the wrong term in 
saying that false ideas are "injected into'' true 
ideas of God. It may be more scientific to say 
that so-called mortal man's false consciousness 
reacting from harmonious law produces effects 
of inharmony. 

Please remember right here again that according 
to the best testimony, mankind has had a very 
long time in which to create false impressions. 
I was reading a book yesterday by a man who is 
well regarded and is a close student of these 
matters. I refer to the book on Cosmic Relations, 
by Henry Holt. In it I find a long argument, too 
long to quote, to the effect that the organs of the 
human body have been developed in response to 
stimuli from without. For instance, he says that 
the development of mankind from protoplasm 
to organism is much as follows : 

The eye develops because of the desire to see; 
the ear because of the desire to hear, and all the 
other organs of the human body, according to this 
author, have developed because of the desire 



70 Christian Science 

of mankind to perceive external things. I believe 
that this is good biological doctrine, according to 
the Orthodox Scientist at the present day. 

Let us go back for a moment to Mr. Huxley's 
conclusion that the qualities of things may not be 
inherent in the things themselves but may be 
supplied to so-called things by something out of 
the comprehension of physical science. Let us 
assume (for the sake of argument) that this is 
true, and that 'Equalities" are ideas. Can we 
not then state the biological doctrine as follows: 

The mortal human mind (i. ^., diffused mortal 
opinions) by exercising the ''faith which is the 
substance of things hoped for'' in the direction 
of inert "material" things, or rather by failing 
to exercise it toward Spirit, has desired to see, in 
the ideas of God, certain qualities. Therefore, 
in the course of millions of years, it has developed 
a false idea of a true organism called an eye, 
which appears to the human mind to have the 
ability of seeing things that are in reality non- 
existent as things, but are false objects or the ab- 
sence of perfection in a true mental plan of the 
One Mind. In other words, if it be true that the 
Orthodox Biologists believe that mankind through 
his desire to see external things has himself de- 
veloped a real something called the human body in 
the course of millions of years, is there anything 
in that theory more improbable or difficult to 
believe than there is in the theory that some of the 
things the Biologists say exist externally, including 



Does Matter Have Reality? 71 

the human sense of body, are but false conceptions 
of a false sense of separation from God, not exter- 
nals, and the others, true ideas of God not externals 
to the One Mind? Cannot the testimony pains- 
takingly and worthily gathered by Biologists be 
used to support either theory and is there not 
here another opportunity for the exercise of faith ? 
Frankly it seems to me that it requires a great 
deal of so-called faith ^ to accept the Orthodox 
Biologist belief, and that this is another instance 
of the fact that we are placed between truth and 
not truth, and are expected to exercise ''the faith 
which is the substance of things hoped for'' in 
the direction where we should lay up our treasure. 
It seems to me that the Biologist and the Christian 
Scientist are saying the same things in different 
ways. The Biologist in effect says, ''Mankind 
has made for himself a reality called the "Law of 
sin and death, '' while the Christian Scientist says, 
"Mankind, in the course of ages, has created for 
himself a so-called law '' (and up to this point in 
the statement he is in agreement with the Biolo- 
gist) " which is not a reality but an illusion/' I 
cannot see that there is a particle of difference in 
the amount of faith required to believe in the one 
doctrine or the other, and may it not be true 

^ I have tried throughout to indicate that it is impossible to 
"exercise faith" toward the untrue, since such faith is merely 
**not faith in the true, " or a negative thing, — a quality of carnal 
mind which fails to know the truth. However to convey my 
meaning clearly in usual terms, I am forced to leave the word 
** faith'* in the text in certain places. 



^2 Christian Science 

again that mankind, in not exercising its faith in 
the direction of faith in the reaHty of Spirit, has 
brought ''matter" into seeming substance for 
themselves, whereas had they exercised that faith 
in the direction of Spirit, they might have brought 
into substance in their lives other things more 
worthy of hoping for — a consciousness of One- 
ness with God? I must be pardoned for emphasiz- 
ing this so often but it is the root substance of my 
belief. Is it not possible further that by turning 
to-day and exercising our faith in the right direction, 
we will eventually come to a consciousness that 
God is All, and that all the inharmonious carnal 
laws, including germs, sickness, and death (the 
law of behef), are but something which so-called 
mortal man has made for himself just as the 
Biologists say he has, but which in sober truth is 
no reality but is of the ''wisdom which is fooUsh- 
ness with God"? 

Lest there be any question as to the at least 
partial agreement of other minds with some of 
what I am stating herein, I quote from the book 
previously mentioned {i, e.. Cosmic Relations, 
by Henry Holt, vol. i., p. i6i. Published by the 
Houghton, Mifflin Co.) as follows: 

Till lately we have supposed we knew two worlds — 
one of mind, and one — which includes our own bodies 
— external to mind. Each of these has always been 
at bottom a mystery, and the relation between them 
a mystery. Each produces phenomena in the other, 
and yet to imagine mind and matter turning into each 



Does Matter Have Reality? 73 

other IS very difficult, and until lately has been im- 
possible. But now it really does seem as if the division 
between them might be but superficial and often 
merely one of those provisional lines with which our 
minds are constantly dividing, in the effort to conquer, 
the essential unity of Nature. 

In the chase that analysis and hypothesis have 
made after the smallest particle of matter, they now 
seem to have chased all particles away and found 
nothing really there hut psychical influences, that 
awaken in us the psychical effects which we call resist- 
ance, roughness, smoothness, form, color, ^ etc., etc., 
just as in our visions, sleeping or waking, we experience 
those same sensations, without the intervention of any 
particle of ''matter.'' If there is, then, after all, but 
one source of sensation — mind acting on mind, — 
*' materialization'* is not impossible, and there is 
no longer any necessity for reading libraries to find 
out that we don't know how mind can act on body, or 
body on mind. 

Now, as, in our experience, mechanical energy, 
muscular energy, nervous energy, heat, light, electrical 
power, and the rest, are constantly transmuted into 
each other, is it not easily conceivable that any one of 
them may be transmutable into resistance or pressure? 
Nay, a step farther, is it improbable that the tele- 
kinetic force may belong with the rest in a mutually 
interchangeable group, which can produce on our 
waking perceptions, as well as in our dreams, all the 
effects which, in certain combinations, we recognize 
as ''matter"? On this hypothesis, the force mani- 

^ These words have been italicized by the author; in the orig- 
inal they are printed in Roman. 



74 Christian Science 

fested by or through the materializers can (not 
inconsistently) be assumed to manifest itself as 
*' matter, '' including such aggregates of force as we are 
familiar with in the forms which usually perform 
certain functions — as hands which move things. . . . 
Do not our latest knowledge and best thinking 
result in the idea — old in rnany forms — that we are 
but expressions of a measureless force which is our- 
selves and also behind ourselves? Would any person 
given to the old phraseology be very fantastic in 
calling us thoughts of the divine mind?^ 

What do the italicized words in the above 
quotation mean if not that ''matter" has no exist- 
ence as commonly understood? Except that both 
good and evil are supposed to spring from Divine 
Mind is there here any essential departure from 
Christian Science understanding? Read care- 
fully and see if you do not reach this same 
conclusion with reference to their meaning. 
This seems to be but another mode of expressing 
Mr. Huxley's thought previously expressed with 
reference to the fact that qualities as such may 
not exist in things themselves. Can you perceive 
any difference in sense between the ''matter'* 
you see in dreams and that which you see when you 
are awake ? 

Now I ask before you go any further, that you 
read the above quotation from Mr. Holt's book 
again. Particularly that part of it which states 
that science has reduced the phenomena of physics 

* Reprinted with the permission of Mr. Henry Holt. 



Does Matter Have Reality? 75 

to psychic impulses without the intervention of 
any particles of matter — then read again what 
Mr. Huxley says about the sense of redness, and 
my comments thereon. 

After you have done this, sit down and think for 
a few moments — and then let me ask you the 
following questions. If it be true that there are 
nothing but mental (psychic) impulses surround- 
ing us — without the interposition of matter — 
if this be true, I say, is there an3rthing improbable 
to you in supposing that man himself by the un- 
conscious lack of use of mentality (psychic inertia) 
alone (subconscious mind) has produced all of the 
effects we commonly speak of as the ''Laws of 
Nature, '' such of them as are inharmonious {the 
others being of God), by the aggregate telepathic 
inertia in consciousness, if you wish, of his own 
lack of true thoughts, throughout the millions of 
years in which he has been, and by putting himself 
in inert opposition in a dream state to true law? 
Underneath are the everlasting arms, of course — 
under it all is God's Divine plan, distorted as the 
understanding of that plan may be by man's 
errors — the plan is none the less there. I know I 
am going to make you laugh by what I next say — 
if you haven't given the subject consideration 
before — but to me there is nothing impossible, 
on the supposition that all of human life is (as 
Mr. Holt and Mr. Huxley seem to state) a series 
of psychic impulses, or if you will, on the theory 
that mortal man has created his own body to suit 



76 Christian Science 

his own needs. I say, on these suppositions, 
there is nothing inherently impossible to me in 
going a step farther and supposing that mortal 
man has created his own sense of his inharmonious 
surroundings (which on this understanding of 
things are purely mental). May it not be, to 
take a homely example, that even the conscious- 
ness of uncomfortable, inharmonious weather con- 
ditions is the result not of God's law but of the 
aggregate inertia of man's own unconscious lack 
of spiritual mentality right down through the 
ages — ^to the carnal man's opposition, in a dream 
condition of consciousness, to true law? 

I wish to be very clearly understood as regards 
this matter of the control of the consciousness 
of weather conditions, otherwise it will seem 
that I have asserted something utterly beyond the 
bounds of understanding even though Jesus 
proved it true. — Let us suppose that some very 
cold day in winter you go out of the house. When 
you first come out you are uncomfortable, and 
very likely yoiu: ears begin to smart with cold; 
but you rub them vigorously, and between that 
and brisk walking you and your ears are soon 
warm. 1 think it will be admitted that this is 
within the bounds of presently accepted wisdom. 
Also probably there is no one who doubts that 
on such a day some persons will suffer from cold 
much more severely than others. 

Now let us suppose for a moment that every man 
was equipped with an *' organism" of such a 



Does Matter Have Reality ? 77 

nature that it responded instantly to vibration 
from without, and accommodated itself instantly 
to all the conditions surrounding it. We are told 
that cold is but the result of changes in vibration. 
If so and yotu" *' organism'' responded instantly to 
external changes in such a way that you were 
constantly in tune with external vibrations can you 
not see that you would suffer no discomfort? 
You would know that there had been a change, 
but you would feel no uncomfortable consequen- 
ces, and in proportion to your ability to respond 
truly would be your freedom from discomfort. 

Let us go back for a moment to the statement 
that '^ Life is a series of psychical impulses without 
the interposition of one particle of matter." 
If this be true — and there seem to be very good 
reasons for believing that it may be — is it impossi- 
ble for you to surmise that your sense of having 
a dense body is the result of ignorance on your 
part of how to use the ** spiritual (psychical) 
impulses'' which form a part of your own in- 
dividuality ? In other words may this not be a 
part of what I have called inertia of mind or *^not 
mind," and when you learn to *^know the truth" 
in relation to your consciousness of a body, so 
that your individuality responds in perfect accord 
with its surroundings, i. e., God's laws, will not the 
truth **set you free" in a very real sense from all 
the suffering you seem to know now merely be- 
cause you do not tC7tderstand? When the day 
comes that you are in perfect accord with all 



78 Christian Science 

your surroundings, will you not then know that 
God's law has always been a law of perfection of 
which you were always a part, and that your own 
false sense of truth and that alone was what seemed 
to make you stand apart from that law in a re- 
lationship which, because of your own lack of 
understanding, seemed to separate you from 
God? Will you not then know, as you to-day 
dimly surmise, that matter, sickness, and suffering 
have no existence except as a part of a dream 
which you are having in a false state of con- 
sciousness, inert to Truth and vibrating out of 
tune with Truth? Will not death itself then be 
conquered because of your then consciousness 
that you are one with the Universe in an in- 
destructible relationship which, because of your 
perfect accord with Spirit, can have no breaks of 
consciousness and no change? There will be no 
room for a change of consciousness because your 
own consciousness will be true and therefore as 
everything true is — eternal. 

And again if it be true that material life is 
composed of '* psychical impulses" and *' psychical 
inertias '' is it not a matter of consciousness without 
the interposition of one particle of matter, and 
is the Christian Scientist not right therefore in 
saying that when your consciousness is raised so 
that you know the truth you will be and are set 
free from sickness, ix,, respond to the harmony 
of God's law and therefore cease to suffer, or 
be subject to the false consciousness which now 



Does Matter Have Reality? 79 

causes disease because it is out of tune? Again, 
is not the Christian Scientist right in attempting 
to do this right now, as Jesus commanded, and 
considering the inertia of false statement surround- 
ing every man is it strange that sometimes he 
does not at once succeed? If life is solely mind 
influences surely you can see that this kind of 
inertia and false statement does not need words to 
carry its expression to others ; thought is from this 
viewpoint the greatest influence in the Universe. 
I can plainly account to myself for all mortal 
man's seeming suffering, sin, and death, in a way 
that carries to me utter conviction — on the 
ground that mortal man is out of tune with Truth. 
Also I know that there is a part of me that to-day 
is beyond this mirage of false appearance, and 
which to-day perfectly reflects Truth. How to 
account for this thing which wishes me to call it a 
perceiver, and which seems to be out of tune — 
that is the one question impossible for me to 
answer. I suppose that in attempting to explain 
something we are trying to reconcile it with 
something known to be Truth, and that this 
false man I seem to know now, being himself 
apart from Truth cannot be reconciled to it by 
any operation of his own testimony, which as 
Jesus says, proceeding from itself alone, must be 
untrue. That part of me which is beyond this 
apparent false dream knows that God is utterly 
and altogether good and is All despite what sense 
says to the contrary. 



8o Christian Science 

But frankly now on the basis outlined just 
above {i. e., life's psychical influence) and bearing 
the demonstrations of Jesus in mind, is it impossible 
for you to see some good reasons for the possibility 
of spiritual cure, and is it impossible for you to 
feel that possibly all that is inharmonious, or seems 
to be inharmonious, proceeds from the aggregate 
false opinions of mortal men themselves ? 

Think it over. — Think over also what is said 
later herein, about the hypothesis of matter being 
composed of ''particles, " and regarding the 
possibility of some day perceiving that these 
''particles," which have never yet been seen, are 
really non-existent. Then see if you cannot 
surmise that (life being mental) you would, if 
perfectly in tune with Divine Law, see as a fact that 
matter does not exist, because being in perfect 
tune with the Universe, you would not feel exter- 
nality, which perception now occurs because of 
your own inharmony with true law. You would 
perceive, as a fact in consciousness, that you are a 
part of the divine harmony and therefore receive 
none of the impacts arising from the clash of your 
own inharmony with the harmony without, these 
impacts giving you the effects of matter. 

Remember also that mental (psychic) influences 
are probably communicable without speech and 
that the false opinions of men may have an 
unconscious negative influence on you, which 
helps to set you in opposition to God's law. On this 
theory all that is needed to redeem you is some- 



Does Matter Have Reality? 8i 

thing to free you from false opinion and har- 
monize you with law — Understanding. *'Ye 
shall know the truth and the truth shall set you 
free." 

I admit it is difficult to see that discomfort is not 
externally caused, but think this over and see if it 
is impossible for you to believe that all man's 
discomfort is due to his own inharmony with the 
law of God. The same temperature feels different 
to different people, does it not? Also ask your 
physician if nervous troubles have increased since 
the World War, and see if you can understand why. 

A few explanatory sentences should perhaps 
be added to these remarks in order to make their 
comprehension easier. — Natural Scientists tell us 
that the whole universe is in a state of vibration 
at different rates. Such being the case, it seems 
evident to me that two different rates of vibration 
contacting one another must produce impacts 
perceptible to mind (not necessarily to ''sense''). 
On the theory which I personally believe to be a 
true one (and in this I am supported by many) 
that material so-called life is exclusively mental 
(psychical) impulses without a particle of what we 
call ''matter," is it unbelievable to you that man 
could, in the course of millions of years (merely 
by the inertia of his own lack of intelligence), 
have put himself at variance with God's law, and 
thus have produced all the sensations we are 
accustomed to group under the headings of sin, 
sickness, and death? Is it not conceivable to you 

6 



82 Christian Science 

that the sensations we describe as ''matter'' are 
produced in the same way? By affecting your 
own consciousness of ''an object'' {i.e., an idea 
of the One Mind) through your lack of harmony 
with the law of Spirit, is it not manifest to you 
that you would receive impressions and appear 
to see qualities in things which in reality do not 
exist in things at all but are solely the result of 
your own failure to respond — to your own clashing 
with Truth {i. e., true phenomena of the One 
Mind from which you are not in reality separate) ? 
If you did respond to Truth would you not lose 
your sense of "inharmony" and cease to think of 
yourself as separated from Truth, with which 
you would then be in responsive accord? Think 
again of paragraph 3, page 64, in this connection. 

If it is further supposable that in addition to 
affecting his own consciousness negatively, mortal 
man has been given "dominion over all the 
earth" (which dominion was given to God's man 
only) to the extent of affecting action around him 
negatively, the possibility that " the faith which is 
the substance of things hoped for" can bring such 
things into seeming existence in a dream state is 
still more clearly understandable. For if that 
be true, some "external" vibrations {i.e., beliefs 
of mortal mind) to some extent would be in accord 
with man's control of them {i.e., his expectations 
or hopes), and he would in the course of his con- 
tinuous life inevitably bring into seeming existence 
the things he sought to see, within the limits of 



Does Matter Have Reality? 83 

the underlying divine plan. They, as material 
things^ however, would not exist though the under- 
lying idea of the One Mind would continue to 
exist and be manifest as substance. Man would 
collectively represent the creator of all environ- 
ment and to the extent that he could reflect the 
activity of spiritual man and could affect the 
things which seem to be external, he would destroy 
the sense of separation from the One Mind in 
the whole of the earth over which the Bible says 
God*s man (not the Adam man) has dominion. 
All of the phenomena affected by mortal man, 
contrary to God's law, would tend to put the earth 
seemingly out of tune with divine law. This 
may be what is intended in the Bible where it 
says that *'all the foundations of the earth are 
out of joint.'' If it be true, it seems to me that 
there is no natural phenomena of the physical 
senses which cannot be explained on the ground of 
purely mortal man's impulses and inertias. God's 
plan is none the less there underneath it all, but 
the Adam man's consciousness and the negative 
influence of that consciousness has seemingly 
put man's (God's man's) rule of the earth (over 
which he has ''dominion") out of tune with 
divine law. On this understanding the extreme 
difficulty of rising out of present false mental 
conceptions can plainly be seen, but it can also 
be seen that these false conceptions are purely 
opinions not laws, and that an understanding of 
the true law of life in Christ Jesus will set one free, 



84 Christian Science 

as it did free Jesus, for it is all a matter of con- 
sciousness, and the power of the true law is the 
power of God, which when understandingly ap- 
plied to the life even of one individual is stronger 
than all the accumulated false opinion of the 
ages. This is what Mrs. Eddy means when she 
says that salvation is not reached through the 
powers of the mortal (human) mind, but must 
come down to those seeking it from the divine One 
Mind. Mortal mind is this inertia and its law is 
the law of sin and death; its Salvation under- 
standing through Christ of God. 

Please do not understand me as having in the 
last paragraph added anything of power to my 
conception of the reason for our difficulties. I 
hesitated long before writing the paragraph 
because I saw that difficulty of writing it without 
creating the impression of power. ''Power be- 
longeth to God '' and man in His image co-operates 
with God and executes His Law. Jesus said 
'' I and my Father are one but the Father is greater 
than I.'' God can have nothing to do with in- 
harmony. All I am saying is that lack of under- 
standing (a negative) may possibly affect nega- 
tively that which appears falsely to be an idea 
separate from the One Mind, and that mortal man 
may by the inert drag of his own lack of under- 
standing have seemingly impeded the spiritual 
(psychic) impulses which God named ''the earth'' 
and which he gave to God's man as his "dominion,'* 
so that they, in common with man's consciousness, 



Does Matter Have Reality? 85 

fail to respond to the consciousness of true law. 
The underlying plan is God's, its false execution, a 
false consciousness — called mortal mind. 

You say this is speculation. Granted. But if 
we never speculate, and try our speculations by 
demonstrating them in our lives, and this can be 
done, will we ever do anything but stand still? 
I told you in the Prologue furthermore that I 
was going to speculate. 

May it not be further said that sickness is 
produced in the same way — and in fact that the 
whole of that which man has been accustomed to 
speak of as inharmonious sensation proceeding 
from without has in reality proceeded from so- 
called mortal man collectively — that the mortal 
man may have in fact all the time been living-, 
so far as sin, sickness, and death. are concerned 
{i. e,, separation from God) from within outward, 
instead of from without inward, as has been 
supposed? Harmonious spiritual influences alone 
being from the One Mind. — While we only appear 
falsely to be separated from the law of eternal Life. 
And may it not be that the aggregate of all jalse 
opinion man made, is what the Bible refers to as 
''The law of sin and death"? 

Anything which produces inharmony must be 
false, since such cannot proceed forth from God. 
May it not further be that the law of God is 
something as yet unapprehended by us in fullness 
— ^which is entirely different from that which we 
have called law — something entirely apart from 



86 Christian Science 

it but underlying all reality. Something apart 
from what we call natural phenomena — at least 
such as produce pain — which latter may be simply 
the aggregate lack of true opinion of the ages? 
May it not be that here is a hint of what we are 
intended to understand in Genesis where it is 
said that **God gave man dominion over all the 
earth '7 Remember '.'Life is God and Man 
reflects Him." Exercise your faith toward God's 
man and make your atonement with Eternal 
Mind. 

I ventured this opinion the other day to a good 
lady — and she remarked that she believed God 
made the snake so that he would kill man if man 
was careless enough to let said snake bite him. 
This seemed to her a conclusive argument — 
perhaps it is to her — but let us see. I have no 
doubt that God made the idea of the snake — 
that so far as that particular reptile is concerned, 
the idea was of God — but it is by no means clear 
to me that the beliefs of death, poison, material 
construction, and pain, which we have connected 
with the snake, came from God. In fact, it is 
very clear to me that they could not have come 
from Him, since God is All, and God is Good. May 
it not be that by the exercise of that ''faith which 
is the substance of things hoped for,'' in the 
direction of the pure ideas of God; with relation 
to the snake, we will say — man could have in 
the past and still can eventually bring into his 
consciousness a snake the serpent of God's crea- 



Does Matter Have Reality? 87 

tion — '*a wise idea" which has none of the char- 
acteristics which cannot have come from God, if 
God be Good? 

It is commonly said that, *' If you put your hand 
into the fire you will be burned, *' and this remark 
has been used times without number, as an 
argument that God is responsible for that condi- 
tion. I wonder if God did make a consciousness 
of fire that causes suffering? I wonder further 
whether if we knew and lived the spiritual law 
which is God's Law, we would not find within its 
rule a kind of fire, or a consciousness of fire, if you 
wish, which would not burn or injure ? ' ' Our God 
is a consuming fire'' (Bible), consuming material 
ideas. I wonder again if the consciousness of a 
fire that inevitably causes suffering to those 
who contact it — is not a part of the carnal law, 
made by the Adam belief which is enmity to God, 
of the false sense of matter — of that wisdom 
which is *' foolishness with God" — a false concept 
of the true idea, the aggregate of mortal man's 
own lack of mentality, unconsciously for ages? 
May it not be possible that this has induced a 
false condition in man, a sense of separateness from 
God, which puts him in opposition to the spiritual 
law and thus causes suffering which he can rise 
above by freeing his consciousness and coming 
into harmony with real Law? 

Remember what Mr. Holt hints as to psychic 
influence being all without the interposition of 
matter. Once more, I wonder if this is not what 



88 Christian Science 

is taught in the Bible where it says, ''These signs 
shall follow them that believe; in my name shall 
they cast out devils; they shall speak with new 
tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they 
drink any deadly thiftg it shall not hurt them; 
they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall 
recover/' 

And how did it happen that Paul was able to 
shake off into the fire, without receiving harm, 
the viper which bit him? 

While I am about it, let me quote a few more 
passages from the Bible. You really must read 
all of the passages I have given for only so will 
you get a true basis for the opinions in this book — 
*'for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh 
and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is 
not of the Father,'' but is of the wisdom which is 
"foolishness with God" — again — ''who changed 
the truth of God into a lie and worshipped and 
served the creature more than the creator," i, ^., 
seemingly reversed God's plan. 

In speaking of fire, my meaning might have 
been plainer if I had said, "I wonder whether God 
did make a man who could be burned by fire, 
or who perceives matter or inharmony." In 
other words possibly all the trouble is in mortal 
man's consciousness, separated from or in opposi- 
tion to God. In either case it is a question of 
consciousness, and either expression covers the 
meaning, only possibly the latter wording will 
make it plainer to you. 



Does Matter Have Reality? 89 

We are told by the physical scientists that 
many vibrations of sound and sight are im- 
perceptible to the sense organs. Is it impossible 
for you to imagine that — if we could hear those 
vibrations, at present imperceptible — we would 
know in fact that there is no such thing as discord? 
If I responded in tune to the Universe is it not 
possible that fire would not burn me? 

If anyone is in doubt as to the fact that 
there are many things surrounding us which our 
senses do not perceive, I ask consideration for the 
following. 

I have in the room in which I am sitting a very 
sensitive wireless set. I live in Minnesota, and 
every day I can hear a station at Nauen, Germany, 
sending to a station in this country. In experi- 
menting with the outfit, I have discovered that 
I can completely disconnect the wires leading 
to the aerial, and can still hear these far distant 
stations sending. It is evident, in other words,' 
that the vibrations pass through the walls of the 
house, and there is no reason why I should not 
therefore assume that they also penetrate my 
own ''body.'' 

If the facts I have just stated had been publicly 
set forth one hundred years ago, the man stating 
them would without doubt have suffered the 
penalties of witchcraft and would have been con- 
sidered of an unsound mind. 

Owing to increased understanding, which is 
just what the Christian Scientist is striving to 



go Christian , Science 

attain, we now consciously hear things which a 
century ago were not even suspected. Is it 
not legitimate to surmise that a still further 
understanding will lead us to find that there are 
now many influences entering into our lives un- 
consciously which cause effects that are now 
ascribed because of lack of understanding to 
other than their real causes? May not many illnesses 
for instance be thus ascribed by mortal mind to 
untrue causes? For what after all do we know of 
causes? You say the apple drops to the ground 
because of the law of gravitation, but if you will 
consider that statement, you will see that you have 
not made a statement of cause, the law of gravita- 
tion merely being an observation of the way 
an unknown cause operates. 

Just as a suggestion, may it not be that the 
wonderful development in the understanding of 
material science accomplished in the last hundred 
years will be continued in the next hundred 
years into the field of things that are now com- 
pletely inapprehensible to the senses and event- 
ually through spiritual understanding of the 
effects in the midst of which we now live into the 
field of the causes which produce these effects? 
May not the future development of men lie in 
the field of the mind sciences and of spiritual 
sense? 

I hope I have in the last few paragraphs been 
able to give you some clear conception of what 
the terms ''Law of sin and death'' and *'Law of 



Does Matter Have Reality? 91 

the spirit of life in Christ Jesus'' mean to me. 
Perhaps you will see by the illustration of the 
snake, and by what has been said concerning 
fire, that while the two are entirely distinct from 
one another (corruption cannot inherit incorrup- 
tion), they still seem, to the material senses, to be 
intertwined. The full living of one involves the 
rejection and destruction of the other. But it 
does not involve the destruction of the true man who 
reflects eternal life. 

If the belief that man's aggregate unconscious 
mentality controls consciousness of disease, and 
the uncomfortable weather, seems beyond im- 
agination to you — and I have no doubt that it 
may — I do not ask you to accept anything from 
me, unless after careful thought your own reason 
justifies you in so doing — I say, if this spiritual 
premise seems impossible to you at first, please 
take this from me at least: You will find that 
many level-headed people, not only in Christian 
Science but in other walks of life, are either be- 
lieving or suspecting that this is true — so don't dis- 
miss the idea without consideration, as something 
which is too improbable to waste time on — for 
it is not. 

What I am saying is that if man's consciousness 
was right, what he calls incompatible weather 
conditions wouldn't be for him, because he would 
be in tune with God. 

Again I say, for the sake of clearness, that I 
cannot, humanly speaking, reconcile the existence 



92 Christian Science 

of a mind capable of having false impressions, 
with an altogether Good God who is All, but I 
affirm His goodness none the less, knowing that 
the failure of logic is my failure, due to limitation, 
and refusing to attribute evil to God since the 
Bible and my own spiritual sense tell me He is 
''without iniquity,'' and is also All. Hence ini- 
quity cannot be real. 

Had it occurred to you that there may be a 
distinction in the first and second chapters of 
Genesis between the *^God'' spoken of in the 
first chapter and the *' Lord God '' spoken of in the 
second chapter? I understand that in the original 
text, the two words used are different. Read 
over the account of the creation in the second 
chapter and see if you do not think it possible 
that the ''Lord God'* spoken of in that chapter, 
who created man out of the dust of the ground, 
is not God at all but the Adam or dust belief 
man ''in whom all die.'' May it not be possible, 
in other words, that in the second chapter of 
Genesis, what is spoken of as "God" is merely 
the collective mind of mortal man working out 
through what is designated in the Bible as the ' 'Law 
of sin and death"? In other words, may this 
not be the inception of that law of which Mr. Holt 
speaks in his book and of which we have spoken 
herein as the "carnal law"? Read that place 
where the Bible says, "Adam begat a son in his 
own likeness after his image," and compare with 
the place where the Bible declares that "man 



Does Matter Have Reality? 93 

was made in the image and likeness of God." 
May not the aggregate of all the {inharmonious) 
psychic influences created by man down through 
the ages ''without the interposition of one portion 
of matter, '' be man's image, not God's? 

Again, going back for a moment to the Orthodox 
Biologist's opinion as to the development of the 
human body. Had it occurred to you that on 
this hypothesis {i, e., the one used in Mr. Holt's 
book) it would be extremely difficult to account 
for the development which has occurred in the 
process of ages in things which seem to us to be 
external? For instance if the eye develops 
through impinging light, why are not all animal 
eyes the same as men's eyes, since the same light 
develops them? On the hypothesis however 
that the so-called external things are in reality, 
to some extent, merely a state of consciousness in 
man (i.e., in the carnal law), and as to the rest 
true ideas within the One Mind, such development 
could be accounted for on a universal and a 
universally applicable principle. On this hypo- 
thesis, for instance, the statement in the Bible that 
the material sun will eventually pass away (this 
quotation is elsewhere hereafter set forth in this 
book) could be reasonably accounted for, for if 
that which is material in the sun is the result of a 
state of consciousness in man, it will disappear 
when that consciousness has been raised above 
the perception of material things, to the full 
understanding of the spiritual law, and to a 



94 /Christian Science 

i 

perception of Oneness with God and of true 
spiritual influences alone, which never change. 

Recurring now in a somewhat different way to 
the modern doctrine as to the constitution of 
matter, we are told that laboratory tests have 
proven that matter is composed of particles in 
constant motion. If this be true, is it not neces- 
sarily true also that our perception of matter is 
untrue, ix., a false state of consciousness, and can 
God be responsible for anything false (the carnal 
law of sin and death)? We certainly do not see 
any particles in motion when we look at a tree, 
for instance, and yet we are told that the particles 
in that tree are in a constant state of motion and 
that between these particles exists space (ether) 
which we also do not see. It seems to me there- 
fore that modern physical science has pretty 
conclusively proven that the conception of matter 
obtained through our physical senses is not a 
correct impression. 

Is it not possible that if the consciousness of our 
sense organs improved^ to the point where we 
saw things as they really are, our conception of 
our surroundings would be very different from 
what it is now , and that ^'matter'' would be seen 
in fact not to exist? 

A further reflection occurs to me in this respect, 



^ We having injected false ideas unto God's thought of tliem 
also. According to the biological theory that consciousness has 
improved in the past. 



Does Matter Have Reality? 95 

to wit : — While physical science tells us that mat- 
ter is composed of particles, there is no physical sci- 
entist who has ever lived who would say that he 
had seen one of these particles. Even the most 
powerful microscope in existence will not enable 
anyone to see the particles which we are told 
compose the so-called objective things around us. 
In other words, these particles are, as Mr. Huxley 
has stated in the previous quotation in this book, 
purely an hypothesis which it seems to be neces- 
sary to assume as true in order to account for our 
sensations. They are assumed {i. e., faith exer- 
cised toward them) , and the whole theory of matter 
founded on them. Why should it not be equally 
legitimate to found reality on faith in God ? 

Carrying Mr. Holt's doctrine of the develop- 
ment of the consciousness of an eye a little further 
than we have carried it, as yet, might it not be 
possible if the idea of the eye should be later 
developed to the point where it could cognize 
moving particles in matter (which would change 
our conception of matter) that a still further 
development would result in perceiving that the so- 
called particles (which at present have never been 
seen except as hypotheses) do not, as a matter 
of fact, exist at all objectively (see Huxley again), 
and when that stage of development is reached 
in the course of the progress of the biological 
theory, would we not then perceive, as a fact of 
consciousness, that we are and always had been 
in truth living in a world of ideas in Mind? — 



96 Christian Science 

at present dimmed by false consciousness and by a 
sense of separation from the One Mind. 

Frankly, it seems to me that the probable and 
logical final conclusions of the present doctrines 
of physical science (which conclusions are as yet 
hidden in the realm of the unknown, but towards 
which conclusions we are working by means of 
the '* faith which is the substance of things hoped 
for'') point very suggestively towards the conclu- 
sions of Christian Science, that matter as an 
objective entity has no existence and that its 
apparent existence is purely a matter of subjec- 
tive false consciousness, misjudging true spiritual 
(psychic) influences. This does not mean how- 
ever that trees, flowers, or any harmonious ideas 
have one particle less of reality than we have been 
accustomed to ascribe to them. It simply means 
that the matter concept and concepts of death 
connected with trees, flowers, etc., have no reality. 

So far as existence of '^matter*' is concerned, 
may we not find a statement upon which all 
parties to the discussion will agree? 

Even the most of Orthodox Church people 
believe that after the ''soul'' has left the '^body'' 
it exists in a state where Spirit is all and matter 
is unknown. The belief of many has been that 
this change takes place immediately at death, 
but evidently all are agreed that there is a place 
or a condition of consciousness where ''matter'' 
is not known. Mrs. Eddy says that our present 
consciousness of *' matter" is a false consciousness 



Does Matter Have Reality? 97 

out of which we rise by the operation of Spirit 
which destroys false material sense. Opposing 
this, all Orthodox Church people, in effect, say 
that '^matter'' is a reality but that there is a 
state of consciousness w^here it does not exist. 
Personally it seems to me more probable that a 
state of consciousness which seems as real to me 
as the consciousness of ''matter'' cannot be 
immediately removed by the process we know as 
death. It seems more reasonable to suppose that 
liberation from the consciousness of ''matter'' 
must come about through a gradual process; 
unless it can be, as Jesus says it can be, ac- 
complished immediately through the raising of our 
consciousness at once to an understanding of the 
spiritual law which is higher than the law we 
know with our senses, and this does not neces- 
sarily mean death. What I am getting at is this. 
Can we not, with agreement from all, state our 
problem in this way? That "matter" seems to 
have reality to us as long as we remain in the 
consciousness in which we now are, but that when 
through spiritual understanding we raise our 
consciousness to the lav\^ of God, we lose the sense 
of material things. You will notice that I have 
used the words (in referring to "matter" in this 
definition) "seems to have reality, " thus leaving 
the question open, as a matter of actuality to you 
as to whether "matter has reality or not." Stated 
in this way, does there seem to be a very wide 
difference to you between usual church beliefs 



98 Christian Science 

and the beliefs of Christian Science? Lest I am 
misunderstood, I wish here to repeat my own 
behef toward which I prefer to exercise my faith 
that ** matter'' as such does not exist, and that 
the carnal mind influences producing the effects 
of *' matter" are in the nature of a dream of 
separation from God the One Mind. Why then 
should there be anything of fear or of sorrow in 
''death '7 Why should we feel that keen sense of 
separation which brings suffering to so many, if 
we know and realize in consciousness that ** eternal 
life'' and ''all is Mind" must mean that our 
friends who are passed beyond the veil are just 
as present with us to-day as they were yesterday, 
even though we cannot sense them? It has 
always seemed to me that instead of surrounding 
death with sorrow and weeping, we should sur- 
round it with the celestial music of joy for the 
soul that perchance is stepping over to the con- 
sciousness of wider life. This need not be abstract 
theory; it can be real conviction. 

I say, that there need be no sorrow in death 
— but there is sorrow in some of the thoughts 
with which men surround it. Not long since, a 
physician — my very good friend too and a worthy 
man — was with me in a home where there was 
sickness, and he spoke to me of misery, of lingering 
illness, of suffering, and of sorrow. There were 
other things of which I will not speak. I am a well 
man, but it was difficult for me to throw aside 
the pall and see clearly God's real truth, and I 



Does Matter Have Reality? 99 

thought, if it be true that life is but a succession of 
psychical influences and unconscious mental im- 
pressions, communicable without words, what must 
such an atmosphere mean to one whose mind is 
not vigorous, to one who is ill, or to one who is 
making ready to step over the threshold into the 
mystery of new experiences? These are the real 
sorrows of sickness and of death, the earnest 
loving efforts to heal and to save, which, through 
lack of understanding of the truth, create the 
tragedies they wish to avoid. 

I hope that this book will fall into the hands of 
some physicians — and that what I have said will 
make them consider and consider again, whether 
much of their painstaking effort is not vitiated 
by their mental attitudes. The thought is given 
not in a spirit of criticism but in one of love. 

And right here, let me say another thing. — I 
have in my library a book, written by a physician, 
and handed to me by another physician, my very 
good friend. It attempts to prove that man has 
developed from the amoeba to his present organism 
by a process of subdivision and chemical action. 
It states that something very like *'life, '' as we 
know it, has been produced by chemical agents, 
and predicts that *'life'' will in the futiire be 
produced by that means. 

When the friend who handed me the book speaks 
of it to me I say, ' ' Yes — it sounds very convinc- 
ing. I do not think I can reasonably escape the 
conclusions presented up to a certain point. In 



100 Christian Science 

fact, I believe that the book states truth when it 
says that man as you know him has developed in 
the way you say — the only thing I will discuss 
with you at all, up to this point, is whether man 
has really developed something or has only 
developed a consciousness of something which 
really does not exist outside of that consciousness 
(i. e,, diffused mortal mind) — and perhaps we had 
better not discuss that for fear we wouldn't agree. 
So far there is not much to discuss between us, 
is there? But when you use the course of develop- 
ment we both believe in as a premise for saying 
that the kind of life produced in the way 
you describe in this book is the only life there iSj 
or if you please, the only consciousness of life 
there is, you precipitate a discussion in which I 
know we will not agree. You are talking of 
something produced or possibly dreamed by the 
* carnal mind which is enmity to God.' You are 
talking of the ' Law of sin and death, ' which I 
agree seems very real to us and seems to have 
done just the things you say it has. But I know 
that there is another 'Law of the spirit of life in 
Christ Jesus, ' which sets me free from the opera- 
tion of the law you discuss in your book. I 
know that there is another kind of life, or con- 
sciousness of life, which is not subject to the 
dreary progression outlined in your book, but is 
the fulfilling of the true law. You cannot prove 
this with the five material senses and, if you 
cannot see and know it, it is because you cannot 



Does Matter Have Reality? loi 

speak my language and we will not progress far 
in our discussion if you speak one language and 
I another. I cannot talk your language now. I 
have unlearned it though I used to know it. When 
you have learned my language come to me and we 
will talk again — and then we may agree. The 
text book of my language is the Bible.'' 

Such arguments as are set forth in the book in 
question, even though I believe them to a certain 
point, do no more to shake my faith in a loving 
God and in my own eternal life than the wind 
blowing in the trees. They only awaken in me 
the deepest sense of pity for those who hold to 
the doctrines in their entirety, for God knows a 
life lived under the shadow of such a belief must be 
but little short of tragedy itself. 

Life that is primarily centered in anything save 
God is not life, and can be desolated in a thousand 
ways; but life centered primarily in thoughts 
of God and his service, life to which other things 
and persons are but secondary to the great One 
Thought or Mind, is eternal and can never be 
desolated, for God is always everywhere, and 
true consciousness of Him changeth not. I 
wonder if this is not what is meant by the first 
great commandment and by what the Bible says 
of the life that is founded on a Rock. 

Have you ever thought that our sorrowful 
thoughts of those who are gone may be known to 
them and impede their progress in the new life? 
Mrs. Eddy denies this in her chapter on ** Christian 



102 Christian Science 

Science Versus Spiritualism/' but if you were 
seeing again, possibly without consciousness of 
separation, those whom you had lost to sight but 
not to heart and mind; if you greatly desired 
to go aside and exchange loving thought with 
them, would you not be torn by the knowledge 
that those you had just left were in grief for you; 
and would you not feel that you should postpone 
your greatest desire to see the loved ones from 
whom you had long been parted — in the hope of 
comforting these you had but just left? Is this 
not good reason again for surrounding death 
with joy instead of with mourning? 

Have you ever seen a butterfly, a thing of 
beauty and joy, come forth from a chrysalis and 
fly away; and have you thought that perchance 
this might be God's message to us of the nature 
both of birth and of death? Just before the 
butterfly freed himself there came a final struggle 
■ — if you had been able to see the chrysalis aloney 
it would have seemed to be pain— but seeing the 
butterfly also you knew that consciousness was 
centered in the beautiful to come not in the con- 
sciousness of a husk which was left behind. What 
you saw was ''death, " yet it was birth also. The 
struggle was one of joy and not of suffering. 
You followed with your eye the beautiful butter- 
fly and did not center your thought on the dry 
husk. That to you was nothing because you 
could see the beauty to which it gave birth. 
By the use of spiritual perception you can see 



Does Matter Have Reality? 103 

likewise in the case of a friend who goes be- 
yond. 

Why mourn when you lay the husk of a friend 
in the ground — can you not use your spiritual eyes 
and see the beauty which is your friend and which 
still lives? All the good you have ever known of 
that friend has been spiritual and is still yours 
if you will take it. Your relationship with that 
friend, if you will make it so, and he has in ''life'' 
made this possible, will be better after what you 
call death, than before, because it will be unmarred 
by thoughts of anything save beauty, harmony, 
and good — and while you may not believe this — 
for it is one of the things which can only be proven 
by demonstration in the life of each individual 
for himself — such a relationship can be made 
just as much of a reality to you as anything you 
now seem to know. 

Did you ever go back to your boyhood home? 
Was it the home you enjoyed — or was it not rather 
the memories stimulated in you by the sight of 
that home? Memories of mother love and boy- 
hood j oys. I like to think in this way that the places 
where belief of our friends ''bodies" are buried 
are but fancied meeting places for us with these 
beliefs who have gone before, for there being no 
matter, no one has died. Life is reality. The 
chrysalis, the husk, which is left behind is only our 
false sense of man and is nothingness, dust to 
dust. The monument which is the door plate of 
the supposed resting place of an illusion does not 



104 Christian Science 

prevent our loving, happy thoughts from going 
forth in the new Hfe and refusing to be sepa- 
rated from the one who is yet with us in a truer, 
more harmonious relationship than ever before, 
because the dust illusion has disappeared. 

I see I have wandered far from my subject — 
but even though the last few paragraphs do not 
logically follow what has gone before I am going 
to let them stand among the random thoughts 
between friends. 

Suppose now we examine Mrs. Eddy's theory in 
the light of the accusation so commonly made, 
that it destroys the meaning of life, and for the 
sake of clearness, suppose we consider that 
question as related to several kinds of occupation 
now used by men as a means of livelihood and 
otherwise. 

First, take the business man. Does Mrs. 
Eddy's teaching destroy the meaning or dignity 
of what he is doing? That depends to a con- 
siderable degree on how he is doing it, for he may 
be doing it in a spirit which leaves nothing of 
dignity to be destroyed. But let us see. Our busi- 
ness man is in the business, let us say, of manu- 
facturing lumber. Now, I believe and so do you 
and so I presume does every Christian Scientist, 
that it is extremely improbable (even if you 
grant that matter is non-existent) that this lumber- 
man, or for that matter, any other man, will, 
during the time known here as this lifetime, 
(one hundred years at the outside) actually raise 



Does Matter Have Reality? 105 

his consciousness to the point where he will be 
able to perceive that truth as a sensible fact, but 
if Ufe be continuous and the belief a true one, he 
will some day perceive it and know that though 
the idea of boards may be a true mental (psychic) 
spiritual fact the belief of matter is not. It is 
not probable, however, that he will in this present 
life obtain the consciousness that a board or a 
pile of lumber has no so called material reality. 
If he did so, he would be beyond the need of having 
or making boards, in the way he makes them 
now. What then can that man do that will be a 
step in the right direction? Well for one thing — • 
I know, and so does every good Christian Scientist, 
that in relation to his own body, he can demon- 
strate, by keeping firmly in mind the idea as yet 
not seen (faith which is the substance of things 
unseen) that matter is unreal and God is All, 
many things that he will only believe after he has 
demonstrated them. Try it and see. I know 
also that by keeping firmly in mind the fact that 
he is a part of universal Mind, and that therefore 
he is entitled to know the truth in relation to 
anything needful in his life, and if it be needful 
to obtain it — he can direct his course of action in 
his business in such a way (or rather God will 
give him direction regarding it) that he will obtain 
for that business true success, which does not 
always mean the accumulation of as large a sum of 
money as we sometimes deceive ourselves into 
believing we need. Further, he can regard his 



io6 Christian Science 

business not as a means of making money, but 
as a means of revealing things which are God's, 
and Man's as heirs of God and joint heirs with 
Christ. By which I mean bringing into expression 
new, true ideas out of universal Mind. He can 
regard a dollar as measured in value by the 
amount of spiritual benefit he can get out of it for 
himself and for others, and not as a thing in itself 
to be desired. He can conduct his business with 
justice to his fellow man, rather than selfishly 
for himself, and as a practical step in that direction 
he can give consideration when he employs another 
to the question not of how small an amount he 
can buy services for, but of what is a just and 
livable wage. He can regard the welfare of a 
fellow man as of vastly more moment than the 
welfare of a dollar or any number of dollars. 
In other words, he can conduct his business un- 
selfishly to God's glory instead of selfishly to his 
own — and he can make no mistake — look around 
you and you will see that it has been done. The 
spiritual sense is developing and this is what I 
understand by, ' ' Seek ye first the Kingdom of God 
and His Righteousness, and all these things shall 
be added unto you"; also remember *'The things 
which are not seen" (I have used the words in this 
paragraph elsewhere) ''are eternal." These are 
some steps. Begin aright and the pathway will 
lead to a consciousness eventually of the things 
which we know now, but do not to-day see, or 
objectify save ''through a glass darkly" (Bible). 



Does Matter Have Reality? 107 

Again, take the case of a chemist. Perhaps you 
will say, *' There surely is one who deals with mat- 
ter/' But let us see. What after all does your 
chemist or any other, be he never so wise, know of 
causes? He says, * ' Put two atoms of hydrogen with 
one of oxygen and you have water.'' But does he 
know why? Not at all. He has simply made an 
observation of the way in which some unknown 
cause acts. I believe that many of the best 
chemists and biologists of the times say that 
they can account for the action of sensible things 
only on the basis that each atom of matter has an 
atom of consciousness connected with it. Further, 
I am told that the best and wisest chemists of the 
age are of the opinion that, some day, all of the 
elements so called will be reduced to one element. 
Very well, where then is the point of contact 
between the chemist and Mrs. Eddy's doctrine? 
Let us suppose that in the course of the years, 
your chemist has succeeded in reducing all ele- 
ments to one element, and he still believes in the 
reality of matter. How does he state his problem 
then ? I imagine much as follows : 

*'Here is one element which I call matter, and 
I can account for its actions only on the basis 
that there is consciousness connected with it. 
I will next go to work to find that consciousness, 
which has wrapped itself up in a cloak of what 
I call matter." Now, I imagine that even here 
the chemist would have to exercise that faith 
which brings into substance things hoped for. I 



io8 Christian Science 

doubt very much whether Mind can ever be 
apprehended by the physical senses conscious of 
separation (by a sense of matter) from God. 
None the less, having reduced the laws of material 
chemistry — which Mrs. Eddy calls '*the law of 
mortal mind/* and the Bible, the *' carnal mind" 
— to one element, the gap of faith is very much 
narrowed and becomes possible of crossing by 
very many more people than now. Mrs. Eddy 
would assert (because her definition of God makes 
it necessary) that the only real thing in that 
atom is consciousness and that man's false con- 
ception of truth has surrounded it with something 
which appears to be separated from the One 
Mind but is really only a false appearance, and 
possibly your chemist when he comes to the end 
of his journey will reach the same conclusion. 
His work to-day will be dignified and given force 
just in proportion as he pursues it with the 
idea that what he and what every other man in 
the world is searching for in his work, is God and 
the Truth about Him. Let him make that the 
end toward which he is working, and while he 
may not reach the goal so quickly as if he followed 
the other way, he is none the less on the same 
journey, and will, in following it, help many who 
cannot, for various reasons, comprehend and 
live the other doctrine as yet. 

Right here let me make a suggestion that may 
supplement Mr. Huxley's belief that qualities 
are not inherent in things and say that it may not 



Does Matter Have Reality? 109 

be impossible that the consciousness which chem- 
ists and biologists beUeve to-day is connected 
with the life of every atom may be apprehensible 
to the spiritual senses as ideas or things not 
separate from the One Mind, and that the resulting 
phenomena may be the only thing really seen, the 
rest being a dream of mortal consciousness from 
which the chemist, the natural scientist, and the 
biologist are, in their own way and without 
knowing the true way, trying to arouse us, just as 
truly as Mrs. Eddy is in her spiritual teaching, 
— which demands demonstration. Possibly had 
Mr. Huxley known of the present chemical doc- 
trine, his mind would not have been forced to 
agnosticism. Pure speculation you say? True — • 
but one has to pin his faith on something if the 
world is to progress. Is it not so ? And why not 
pin it on the side toward God ? I cannot conceive 
now of manifestation of this character but I can 
understand that it can be. 

Now I come to the medical profession, and 
right here I am afraid that I may say some 
things that will not be heartily approved by my 
friends. 

There seems to be a resistance on the part of 
some physicians to consider Christian Science, 
spiritual therapeutics, seriously, or allow it time to 
become demonstrable, and the intolerance of the 
novitiate in Christian Science towards the un- 
progressive physician should also be eliminated. 
They are both striving to alleviate human woe, 



no Christian Science 

one on the material basis of mental theorizing; 
the other on a spiritual postulate. 

The understanding of Christian Science cure 
is misapprehended by most people, I think, for I 
find that many speak of the impossibility of 
reducing a swelling by metaphysical means, for 
instance. Now, the Christian Scientist, if I un- 
derstand his position correctly, regards life as a 
succession of states of consciousness. Manifestly, 
if you are not conscious of a thing, for you it 
does not exist. So the Christian Scientist says, 
''We seem to have two minds, the Christmind, 
truth, which is like God's Mind, unconscious of 
separation from Him and a part of His Mind, and 
the mind which is mortal, and is the physical 
senses, this latter in reality being no mind, but a 
dream.'' Now, what the Scientist practitioner 
is trying to do, and in many cases does do, is to 
mentally raise the consciousness of his patient 
away from the concepts of mortal mind, i.e., the 
testimony of the physical senses (the law of sin 
and death) (Bible), and to awaken active con- 
sciousness of the mind which is like God's Mind 
so that it will perceive the truth, which is, that the 
conceptions of the senses do not exist, except as a 
false belief. As Mr. Huxley has pointed out, there 
is some testimony even from these senses them- 
selves that they may not have reality; and it can 
be done. Try it and see, for only by demonstration 
can you apprehend this truth. 

In speaking of mortal mind and the Mind which 



Does Matter Have Reality? iii 

is in Christ in this book, I perhaps should say- 
that any conflicts in expression between Mrs. 
Eddy's ideas and my own, exist in expression only. 
I understand it to be Mrs. Eddy's idea that there 
is but one Mind, in which belief I agree. When I 
speak later of the Mind which was in Christ as 
being each man's individual birthright and divine 
identity, I do not think of something contained 
within finite bounds, my definition of that term 
being that portion of the One Mind v/hich pertains 
to the existence of each individual and which 
perfectly reflects the ideas of the One Mind. In 
reality, there is no separation from that Mind, 
only a false consciousness of such separation. 

Suppose we trace now the history of a medical 
cure. My friend, Dr. Wiseman, who is my close 
personal friend, in whose good wishes for me I 
believe, and in whose medical knowledge I have 
the utmost confidence, comes to me when I am 
suffering with some condition which makes me 
uncomfortable (sick), and says, **You have tuber- 
culosis. I have examined your sputum and in it I 
see (or think I see) things which I know are present 
in such a condition, therefore I say you have 
tuberculosis." Now I have no doubt that the 
doctor saw something or seemed to see something, 
but what he saw was a manifestation of the untrue 
physical senses (an illusion), from the Christian 
Science point of view. I believe this is correct 
Christian Science doctrine. It was part of mortal 
mind, not necessarily his or my own mortal mind, 



112 Christian Science 

for I do not suppose that even though it be possible 
that a person could alone wish a disease on himself, 
it is likely that he would do so, unless he were 
helped by the consensus of opinion of all mortal 
minds to which I have previously referred. In 
other words, the consciousness of that so-called 
germ is a part of the *'Law of sin and death" 
referred to in the Bible and created by false mind 
of men alone, not by God. What the Christian 
Scientist is trying to do is to ''set you free from 
the 'Law of sin and death''' by raising your 
consciousness to the "Law of the spirit of Christ 
Jesus," the two laws having nothing to do with 
each other in their authorship — the one being 
human, the other divine. What the doctor 
"saw" in other words, if he saw anything, was a 
thing which would not be harmful to true con- 
sciousness. R,emember "psychical influences." 

I have no doubt, I say, that the doctor "saw" 
something out of the law of sin and death, or 
mortal mind (no one attacks his sincerity), and 
if he does nothing to help me, or possibly if he does 
do something to help me, and keeps on holding 
before my mind images of crawly things that seek 
the inmost recesses of my being for breakfast, 
supper, or luncheon (as some medical men have a 
habit of doing), I have no doubt that I shall do 
what is called "dying." In other words, I shall 
leave behind, through suffering, the particular 
consciousness of matter I have, because it has 
become a burden which I cannot bear under the 



Does Matter Have Reality? 113 

conditions, and take up the same general con- 
sciousness elsewhere till I have risen above it. 

But the doctor does something. He says, 
*' Jones, my friend, there is just one hope for you. 
The other day I was looking through a microscope, 
and while a cure for tuberculosis has never been 
yet discovered, I think I know, and have seen, a 
crawly thing just a little stronger than the 
crawly things within your being (which range two 
billion to the inch in your lungs while the new 
crawly things range four billion), and the new 
crawly things eat up the old crawly things. So, 
if you will let me put a few trillion of the new ones 
under your skin, I think they will eat up the old 
crawly things and make you comfortable (well)." 
Now, naturally, after so much talk of things prom- 
enading in my sacred and scared interior, I 
have great goose fleshes, but also having great 
confidence in Dr. Wiseman, I permit him to inject 
a menagerie and create a cemetery within me, 
and in the course of time I get well. Now I ask 
you, is it not conceivable that if the function of 
sight be as uncertain as Mr. Huxley seems to 
think it may be, and life be really '' psychic influ- 
ences without one particle of matter,'' what Dr. 
Wiseman saw was nothing but a creation {i. e.j 
consciousness of, not real creation) of mortal 
mind (a part of the ''law of sin and death") in 
the case of both kinds of crawly things, and 
what really ciured me was my faith in Dr. Wiseman 
and in his ability to see into my interior and 

8 



114 Christian Science 

create a sense of peace out of a sense of war 
between millions? I don't assert this as a fact, 
neither do I deprecate whatever good the doctor 
may accomplish; I merely wish to exercise my 
''faith which is the substance of things hoped for ** 
i7i this direction and I ask in view of the fact that 
this is hypothetically the first case of the kind 
ever cured, is it not a possibility? Now, let us 
follow the process. 

Aly friend Smith has the same kind of dis- 
comfort, and I tell him of my cure and of Dr. Wise- 
man, and he tells Johnson and he tells Hanson, 
and Peterson, and Seeley, etc., ad infinitum^ and 
pretty soon you have the good news over all the 
world and everybody's faith is stimulated, and 
cures innumerable are accomplished ; also faith in 
the **germ'' causing the trouble is likewise stim- 
ulated {i. e.y lack of faith in truth). You will see 
what I am getting at, which is, may it not be 
possible that, in his own way, the doctor just as 
the chemist and the business man is in search of 
God, and may it not be that the doctor himself 
will some day discover that he has been bound 
up in the ''law of sin and death" to such an extent, 
along with the rest of mankind, and in such a way, 
that while he honestly thought he was doing some- 
thing to cure matter with matter (the existence of 
such a thing being a question about which even 
Mr. Huxley speculates) , what he was really doing 
was something with mind (mortal mind) to cure 
mortal mind, i. e., change a belief? And may the 



Does Matter Have Reality? 115 

day not come when he will see and admit that 
after all the long journey he has traveled ; in sober 
truth, the only permanent cure is God and con- 
sciousness of oneness with Him?^ 

I quote here from Dr. William Osier, who, I be- 
lieve, has the confidence of the medical profession, 
and state in advance that it seems to me his asser- 
tion is a step in the right direction. 

This is taken from the Ladies Home Journal for 
October, 191 5: 

We are certainly making long strides forward 
when we read such words as these, and they con- 
cern us all because they concern our health, and 
it must be well borne in mind that the writer. Sir 
William Osier, M.D., is unquestionably the foremost 
living American physician and the highest authority 
on drugs, in the medical world. He says what fol- 
lows in the Encydopcedia Americana: — *'The new 
school does not feel itself under obligation to give any 
medicine whatever, while a generation ago, not only 
could few physicians have held their practice unless 
they did, but few would have thought it safe or 
scientific.'' *'0f course, there are still many cases 
where the patient or the patient's friends must he 
humored by administering medicine or alleged medi- 
cine where it is not really needed and indeed often 
where buoyancy of mind, which is the real curative 
agent, can be created only by making him wait hope- 
fully for the expected action of medicine; and some 

* Faith in cure is a faith in a degree toward right. 



Ii6 Christian Science 

physicians still cannot unlearn their old training/* 
'*But the change is great. The modern treatment of 
disease relies very greatly on the so-called natural 
methods, diet and exercise, bathing and massage; 
in other words, giving the natural forces the fullest 
scope by easy and thorough nutrition, increased flow 
of blood, and removal of obstructions to the excretory 
systems or to circulation in the tissues." **One 
notable example is typhoid fever. At the outset of 
the nineteenth century, it was treated with remedies 
of the extremest violence ; bleeding and blistering, vom- 
iting and purging, antimony and calomel, and other 
heroic remedies. Now, the patient is bathed and nursed 
and carefully tended but rarely given medicine.'' 

''This is the result,'* continues Dr. Osier, "of the 
remarkable experiments of the Paris and Vienna 
schools into the action of drugs which have shaken the 
stoutest faiths; and partly of the constant and re- 
proachful object lesson of homeopathy. No regular 
physician would ever admit that the homeopathic 
'infinitesimals' could do any good as direct curative 
agents, and yet it was perfectly certain that homeo- 
paths lost no more of their patients than others. 
There was but one conclusion to draw: that most 

DRUGS HAD NO EFFECT WHATEVER ON THE DISEASES 
FOR WHICH THEY WERE ADMINISTERED." 

Now, I am quite certain that my Christian 
Science friends will not heartily approve of what 
is said in the above quotation with reference to 
massage, diet, etc., their view being that after all 
such things only help temporarily to relieve 
belief in falsity and that it is only mortal mind, 



Does Matter Have Reality? 117 

L e.j (itself refraining from belief in the false, a 
negative not a positive action) which causes the 
resulting **cure/* I may say that this is also 
my own understanding. What other conclusion 
can I reach when I am told by the doctors 
themselves that emotions such as anger, pleas- 
ure, contentment, irritation, cause the precip- 
itation of certain substances in the blood 
which aid or retard health? Is not this an admis- 
sion that the effect is caused by mind, and when 
these emotions are permanently controlled so 
that only the good is manifested, in consciousness, 
is it not the action of the ''mind that was in 
Christ '' {i.e. J Divine Power, controlling the mortal 
mind) which brings about the cure or preserves 
health, a positive action? Frankly, it seems 
to me that the mxcdical profession (at least those 
members of it agreeing with Dr. Osier) have 
not very far to go before they will recognize that 
the so-called ''precipitations of substances in the 
blood'' are merely another illusion, or false expla- 
nation of mortal mind, which always must have 
a material explanation, such as a "germ'' for 
instance, and that after all, when viewed cor- 
rectly, the real struggle is that of mind alone 
toward the knowledge of truth (true spiritual 
influence) and away from that which has been 
believed to be true, but is in reality a falsity {i. ^., 
false psychical influence^ not of God and not 

^When I use the term *' false psychical influence" please 
understand instead of "influence" inertia. 



ii8 Christian Science 

*' matter" proceeding from man and the **law of 
sin and death''). In other words, is it not true 
that just as the business man and the chemist 
are going to eventually reach the conclusion that 
God is the end of the journey, so the medical man, 
in his own way (even though it be not the quickest 
and best way or right way), will finally come to 
the same conclusion, i. e.j that God is the ordy curey 
the end of the journey, to which all spiritual 
thoughts are inevitably leading all mankind? 

Have you ever noticed how necessary it seems 
to the human mind to supply a material explana- 
tion of every phenomenon? I have a very good 
example. Right now as I am writing, we are 
having in the town in which I live an epidemic of 
''grip'*; within the past week some of the schools 
have been closed, and business houses have been 
seriously handicapped by the absence of their 
employees. The pest has become so widespread 
that I am told that one store has thirty of its 
employees absent. We haven't had any rain or 
snow (it is winter) here for a considerable time, 
and the streets are very dusty. Everybody is 
loudly proclaiming that the difficulty is due to 
the dust — and apparently without careful exami- 
nation of the subject, everybody, including the 
doctor, has accepted that as the correct answer. 
The theory seems to be that there is some kind of a 
germ that uses the little dust particles as saddle- 
horses, and when the rain comes, the horses 
have to stay in for fear they might catch cold. 



Does Matter Have Reality? 119 

You see, the human mind demands that it have 
something which is capable of being seen, smelled, 
touched, heard, or tasted, as an explanation — 
even if that thing be so small that it cannot be 
seen with the keenest microscope ; it is absolutely 
necessary in order to understand causation that 
the proximate cause at least be material — so 
reasons the human mind. 

Well, perhaps the dust explanation is satis- 
factory to some, but it is far from convincing 
to me, and I surmise that it would be likewise 
to anyone who really stopped to think about 
the matter. There are certain difficulties in the 
way — for instance, I distinctly remember that the 
last time we had the same plague in the house, 
the country looked like a swamp — the germs were 
using boats then. Then, too, v/hy is it, if the dust 
is responsible, that the trouble attacks office 
workers and fails to completely annihilate the 
street cleaning department, which seems to be 
doing business as usual — and why is it that at 
one time the same kind of difficulty is attributed 
to cold, damp weather and the next time to warm, 
dry weather ? Further , bringing the matter a little 
nearer home, which I hope will be pardoned since 
the necessities of a ready-made example demand 
— ^why is it that some others living in the same 
house have the difficulty while I have not? This 
seems strange, because I have been out where the 
dust is and have even spent every night on a 
sleeping porch reasonably near the street where the 



120 Christian Science 

little germ riders with their little dust horses 
have a standing invitation to visit me, while the 
others to whom I refer have been shut up in the 
house. Further, if the difficulty is due to germs I 
have given them every chance in the world — I 
laid on the bed the other evening with one of my 
children and he coughed in my face almost con- 
tinuously for an hour. The physical explanation 
of that is of course that I am in a robust state of 
health — but somehow that doesn't satisfy me 
because when the epidemic started in the family, 
I was feeling particularly run down because of 
five weeks of continuous stomach disturbance 
which through my own weakness I had failed to 
be rid of — and I have continuously improved 
since — and then if I am in robust health, I wonder 
why. 

Of course, to my own mind, the explanation of 
my immunity is easy. Every morning before get- 
ting up and every evening before going to bed, 
and several times during the day, when I have felt 
a tendency to succumb to the prevailing mental 
impression (for I have felt those mental impres- 
sions beginning very strongly several times) I 
have mentally contradicted and destroyed the 
false impression and substituted therefor, in my 
mind, the truth about God. It is His power that 
will always save if we appeal rightly. Don't 
mistake it for the action of your own mind, which 
can never permanently cure you. If you or I 
attribute power to ourselves, we lose power. 



Does Matter Have Reality? 121 

I have been mentally charged against the pre- 
vailing attitude of mind instead of for it. It is 
entirely possible that I may get in trouble with it 
yet (this paragraph is written with a due humility 
of thankfulness and not as a boast) — but if I do, 
I will know that it is because of my own weakness 
in giving up to a human mental concept instead 
of clinging persistently and faithfully to the Divine 
truth in which there is no falsity, and I certainly 
will not ascribe to God any part either of my failure 
or my discomfort ; or ascribe it to '^matter '' instead 
of to false mind. 

If you ask me, I have no doubt that the epi- 
demic will stop when the snow comes — but the rea- 
son I give for it is obviously not the one commonly 
accepted; and frankly now, does it not seem to 
you, when you really get down and think of it 
carefully, that mental causation of such an 
epidemic as we are having is very much more sat- 
isfactory as an explanation than the prevailing 
dusto-germy conception? Look at it even from 
the standpoint of human separated mentality — • 
we know that telepathy is a fact — we know that 
there are many activities of mind of which we are 
not actively conscious; what then is the difficulty 
in the way of saying that when a lot of minds get 
thanking (''not thoughts," ix,, get into a false 
state of consciousness) along a certain line they 
affect a lot of other minds in the same way as 
they themselves are affected? When you think 
of mortal carnal mind as diffused this can be 



122 Christian Science 

seen even more clearly. And honestly doesn't 
this kind of explanation explain away a whole 
lot of difficulties that are insurmountable in the 
dust and germ hypothesis? The man whose 
mind is either unconsciously or otherwise — by 
his lack of thought or by his surroundings, 
which are really also thoughts — predisposed to- 
ward the prevailing mental attitude gets its 
results; the man who is charged against it, by 
Divine power, either unconsciously or otherwise, 
either by his thoughts or his surroundings, does 
not. And what after all is so hard to believe in 
mental causation? Even if you grant that 
your body is a reality and mind separated from 
God, the One Mind — is there any act, any gesture, 
any expression of face, which is not the result 
(from the time you are bom as you call it, to the 
time you die as you call it) , of mental causation? — 
if there is, name it. Does not mind — granting 
that your body is a reality — move your hand? 
And can you see your mind ? Why then always 
seek for an explanation to everything else which you 
can see and refuse to believe any other? And if 
after a while you reach the point where you can see 
and believe that all causation is mental as many 
are now believing, is not the next logical step 
this — if all causation is mental to remove the cause 
you must remove something mental, not do some- 
thing to ''matter" with ''matter"? Think it 
over. It must be evident to you that mind can 
affect mind, therefore if there be no "matter" in 



Does Matter Have Reality? 123 

the sense we have believed, surely you can see 
that the cure of disease mentally is possible, 
especially if the mental power evoked is divine. 
It is granted that such possibility is far more 
difficult to comprehend on the hypothesis of 
mind affecting ''matter." 

Now I am certain that some of my readers are 
going to say — If all this be true, why is it that some 
others living under like conditions have the diffi- 
culty? Why has not Christian Science thought 
been able to save them from the prevailing mis- 
conception ? Frankly, it has been tried — and just 
as frankly it has failed to cure at once, though it 
has greatly helped. But do not think that I am 
going to take the further step and say that its 
failure is in any sense due to a weakness in the 
Principle, for I am not. 

What I am going to say next, I am sure, will be 
difficult to say, because I am going to seem to 
ascribe power to that which I have said, and still 
say, has no power. And I say this both on the 
authority of my spiritual senses and on the author- 
ity of the Bible, (Read the quotations and see.) 

As a child, did you ever wake up in the night in a 
totally dark room — and do you remember how 
the more you thought about the darkness, the 
darker and the more terrifying it became? — and 
yet when you grew older, you learned that dark- 
ness was really nothing — just an absence of light. 

So I wonder if you can see a parallel — remember- 
ing always that you are and always have been 



124 Christian Science 

but a part of Mind, even though your present 
memory is limited — in the purely negative drag 
and inertia of many minds (diffused mortal mind), 
all refraining from thinking true thoughts at the 
same time and through all time — and in the 
response to that inertia of the individual mind 
falsely conscious of separation from God when it 
in turn dwells in the darkness of false thought 
about itself and gives heed to the negativeness of 
false thought external to itself. The nearest I 
can come to conveying my thought is to ask you 
again to think of darkness which is in reality only 
a false conception, of absence of that light which is 
always and everywhere present. ''In Him is no 
darkness at all." ''In Him we live and move 
and have our being." Just stick to your text and 
refuse to let your senses fool you. ''At the rebuke 
of j^z;e shall they flee" (Ezekiel). I shall have 
more to say of this in the next chapter. 

Well, to return to the failures of Christian 
Science, which are really failures of the individual, 
or the race, to whom, or to which, it is applied. 
I think some Christian Science practitioners 
convey a meaning of their work that they do not 
intend. They give the impression to some people 
that Science treatments are absolutely independent 
of the attitude of mind of the patient. I cannot 
find any such statement either in the Bible or in 
Mrs. Eddy's book. Jesus nearly always said 
when he cured, "Thy faith hath made thee 
whole," and if I have read Mrs. Eddy correctly, 



Does Matter Have Reality? 125 

she certainly says that life is a series of states of 
consciousness in the individual and that only 
through progress toward truth can we overcome 
untruth, i. e,, negative thought. This progress 
implies gradual understanding. ''Ye shall know 
the truth and the truth shall make you free, " but 
you must ''knock " {i. e., apply yourself to a study 
of the truth) before it shall be opened. 

Think of what I have just said and think of it 
in the light of the possibility that all is Mind — 
the mental inertia of opinions coming from false 
thought — the confusion of mind in the individual, 
who seems falsely to be separated from the 
One Mind — the unavailing attempt to compromise 
between the false and the true — to depend half on 
medicine and half on faith — to mix that which has 
less affinity than oil and water — the vast accumu- 
lation of inert negative thought which comes as a 
heritage of education and "psychic inertia" 
right down through the ages, and from which we 
are none of us free as yet — now honestly, is it 
any wonder to you that Christian Science some- 
times fails to reach and raise the consciousness of a 
patient in the midst of such a Babel? — ^when the 
patient and often the practitioner does not under- 
stand — for real faith implies, to me at least, a 
measure of understanding, — to me the wonder is 
that it so often does reach and heal — to me that 
alone is evidence of the fact that it has its origin 
in the Divine — and that all that is needed is that 
the patient should emancipate himself from his 



126 Christian Science 

own confusion of ''not thought, '' and the confusion 
of ''not thought'' around him, which is in reaUty 
simply absence of thought, a negative thought,^ 
and fill the place in his consciousness, emptied 
by destruction of the seeming falsity, with the 
knowledge of the true — "This is eternal life that 
they should know Thee (God).'' "Ye shall 
know the truth and the truth shall make you 
free." Think of darkness, then think of "not 
thought," and see if you can catch my idea that 
much we refer to as thought is "not thought" 
but merely mechanical response to false mental 
impulses. Perhaps right here is as near as I can 
come to a logical reconcilement of a mind that can 
perceive evil and its existence, with a Good God 
who is All, for that which produces only "not 
thought" is "not Mind." None the less some- 
thing seems to perceive "not thoughts" and I am 
still where I was and must affirm, in the face of 
my human mind, God's Altogether Goodness, i. c, 
exercise faith toward Spirit. 

Suppose we follow our speculation regarding 
the course of an epidemic a little further, and 
suppose it be true that the cause is mental. Then 
suppose that everyone who has it in the house 
begins to think — "Well, this will last so many days 
and will take such and such a course before it 

* I ask the reader to substitute as an alternate phrase "absence 
of thought" for "false thought" in reading this book and see if it 
throws any new light on the Christian Science idea of the nature 
of "mortal mind" and the law of sin and death. 



Does Matter Have Reality? 127 

can be cured." Do you not see that here mental 
so-called law is set up which is just as stringent as 
the original inertia away from health, and that 
the more people or doctors think and talk along the 
line that the disease will take a certain course, the 
more certain they are making it that such will 
appear to be the case in fact? If the cause of 
disease be mental, this certainly can be the case, 
and it seems to me that there are very good reasons 
for thinking that the cause is mental. Suppose, 
further, that after such a state of affairs is once 
set up, and emphasized by the unconscious opinions 
of many, it is attempted to reach it by means of 
Christian Science treatments — can you not see 
what a handicap has to be overcome? And is it 
not a testimony to the greatness of Divine Power 
that when a patient does succeed in freeing himself 
from the maelstrom of false thought, a cure is 
effected in the face of accumulated false testimony 
of this nature? 

Since writing the above, I have purposely ex- 
posed myself in every possible way, except mental 
belief, to the epidemic above mentioned — I have 
slept with those who had it, and so far as I could 
have disregarded all the commonly accepted 
notions as to what should be done under such 
circumstances — always however keeping my men- 
tal attitude opposed and filled with what seems 
to me the right thought about God and life. 
I have not had the trouble in any degree whatever. 

The snow has come, and the epidemic is not 



128 Christian Science 

stopped. Now I understand that the doctors 
have taken ''cultures" from over a thousand 
throats in an effort to find some ''explanation'* 
of the difficulty. No explanation has as yet been 
found — and my prophecy is that when found its 
name will be "legion.'' Possibly not so many 
as the "cultures" but none the less sufficient in 
number to raise the question as to whether there 
is after all any real principle back of such experi- 
mentation — such as is back of mental causation; 
which can be seen to have a universally applicable 
principle back of all its manifestation, even though 
the manifestations themselves be false, and the 
application of the principle erratic and imgoverned. 
; I am amused this morning to see in the paper 
a new explanation of "colds." Some doctor in 
New York says they are due to the unintelligent 
use of the handkerchief! And some newspaper 
gave the theory enough credence to print it! 
It bears as printed no evidence of being an in- 
tentional joke. The good doctor gives minute 
instructions as to just the proper method, and 
recommends "handkerchief drills for schools" 
so that the children may know how to properly 
blow their noses ! Verily, this is a strange, strange 
world — and the imaginations of the mind are 
fearfully and wonderfully made. I have a picture 
in mind of the village common of a Saturday 
evening, converted to the uses of "nose drill," 
with regiments of earnest citizens all industriously 
tooting their horns in unison at the signal from 



Does Matter Have Reality? 129 

the Major of the Beaks. The Lord grant that 
they may learn to toot in the same key — and thus 
put to shame the music of the medical profession. 
In saying which I do not in the least reverse my 
opinion elsewhere stated that that profession has 
its good uses — and is a calling which when rightly 
used is an instrument leading to the one Goal 
which we are all seeking. I have no indictment, 
as will later appear, against the underlying spirit 
of any sincere effort to relieve human suffering. 

Yesterday, there dropped into my office a man 
who had suffered with the rheumatism severely. 
I told him of a friend of mine who is now suffer- 
ing in the same way, and he spent half an hour 
in telling me how he had cured himself by the use 
of kerosene oil. This may be an old thought to 
you, but it was a new one to me, and added 
another to the vast multitude of rheumatism 
** cures'' with which I was already familiar. 
I have no doubt whatever of the truth of the 
story — but I doubt whether the cure was made by 
the kerosene. May it not be that had he applied 
ordinary water with the same faith with which 
he applied the kerosene, the result would have 
been the same? Remember life and psychical 
influences. 

The other day I read in a paper somewhere 
that there is a nerve in the toe by means of which 
pain in one of the teeth can be controlled. You 
will think that someone is purposely making 
humor and so did I till I asked my dentist. He 



130 Christian Science 

thought that the nerve in question was not in the 
toe, but in one of the fingers — said it had been 
demonstrated that by pressing on such a nerve, 
pain in a particular tooth could be controlled. 
This is serious dental information, and I am con- 
vinced that it is honestly believed. Possibly it 
is true from a carnal law point of view; possibly 
also the ''etheric body'' of the Occultist — still 
carnal law — has something to do with it, but 
honestly now, don't you think when you come to 
think of it carefully that all these things are more 
reasonably explained by some sort of mental 
causation the exact operation of which is not yet 
understood and that possibly the conscious mind 
separated in false consciousness from God (I 
mean the mind conscious of so-called physical 
surroundings) in striving to give a physical ex- 
planation to things it does not understand has 
*' experimented'' and thereby established these 
*'laws" for itself by unconscious mental enforce- 
ment? Mrs. Eddy says that ''material Hfe is made 
up of the conscious and unconscious thoughts of 
mortals." Think this over in view of what has 
been said concerning life being mind alone. 

I must confess for myself that with all due 
friendly deference to my good friend, the dentist, 
it is vastly harder for me to believe that pinching 
the toe will stop the pain in a tooth, than it is for 
me to believe that the whole thing, both pain and 
cure, is mental — possibly of a mentality (psychical 
influences) which I cannot understand (uncon- 



Does Matter Have Reality? 131 

scious), a mentality which is not yet under control — 
but none the less mental. Such an explanation 
establishes a principle, the other explanations do 
not. They merely state an observation which 
sometimes may be true but more often is not. 
That I am not the only one who feels as expressed 
herein regarding our ''grip" epidemic is evidenced 
by the somewhat cautiously worded newspaper 
article hereafter quoted. This is from the Minne- 
apolis Journal, Is there not a hint in the last few 
lines of mental causes ? 

Boiling Down Medical Advice 

During the present epidemic of that mysterious 
ailment known as *'la grippe'' newspaper columns all 
over the country have been filled with medical warn- 
ings and recommendations; warnings of what to do and 
what not to do to avoid illness and recommendations 
of all sorts of cures, from alcoholic indulgence to total 
abstinence. 

One specialist condemns the present styles of 
woman's dress for this evil, though the fact that 
masculine as well as feminine flesh is heir to it seems 
to lessen the force of his contention. He says that to 
wear germ bearing furs high around the neck and to 
protect the ankles, exposed by the prevailing short 
skirts, only with thin silk stockings, is not only to 
invite the grip germ to visit you, but to give him just 
the sort of quarters he likes in which to multiply and 
accomplish his deadly work. 

Another expert advises us to refrain from alcoholic 
stimulants, as whisky does all sorts of horrible things 



132 Christian Science 

to every organ in the body. Still another advises a 
nip of whisky night and morning to stimulate the 
eliminative processes. 

Kissing should not be indulged in, save as a con- 
solatory measure and very sparingly even for that 
purpose. 

We are told to stay out-of-doors, to keep inside by 
the fire; to eat four or five meals a day, to eat very 
sparingly and only at certain hours; to walk a good 
deal, to avoid violent exercise, and to do and not to 
do so many other contradictory things that faith in 
all medical advice is shaken. The result is a convic- 
tion that so long as the germ is going to get us anyway, 
sooner or later, we might just as well have all the fun 
we can, by doing exactly as we please before the fatal 
moment arrives. 

Boiled down to its basic residuum the essence of all 
medical advice is to live as normally as one can and 
exercise common sense. No specific rules for healthful 
living can be laid down for general use. Everyone 
knows, other things being equal, that warm clothing, 
nourishing food, fresh air, clean habits of body, and 
plenty of sleep are the best weapons in the world with 
which to combat disease. And a few others may well 
be added to these; which are to refrain from reading 
much miscellaneous advice on the subject, occupy 
the mind with other interests, don't be too certain that 
you are going to be ill, don't worry if you are, and, 
above all, learn to cast out fear. 

This is good Christian Science save for the fact 
that it ascribes power of cure to human instead of 
to Divine Mind. Nobody denies that powders, 



Does Matter Have Reality? 133 

plasters, and medicines have an eflfect in curing the 
illnesses which the accumulated false testimony 
of human mind (false mental influences) has 
itself alone created. Even Mrs. Eddy admits 
this to be true — but she takes what seems to me 
the true attitude; that such cure comes through 
giving the mortal so-called mind, which itself 
has created the disease, the thing which it thinks 
is going to cure it (''not thought") (mental cure). 
If you will stop to think a moment, you will 
plainly see what an endless maze of contradiction 
and discomfort you are letting yourself in for if 
you follow the leading of this human lack of intelli- 
gence which we sometimes call ''mind'' — for if the 
human mind creates a consciousness of disease, 
there is an endless number of such that it can 
create, and has created, and for every one there 
will be, and for each one there will be also an endless 
series of things which human mind will have faith 
in as a cure. There is no principle whatever 
back of such cure, or back of such disease for that 
matter — just an endless experimental groping in 
the dark for something which isn't there. 

Cannot you see that when the Bible speaks of 
the "carnal law" which is "enmity to God, " it is 
talking about just this conglomorate confusion of 
human belief (absence of thought, lack of intel- 
ligence), this unending labyrinth of wandering, 
purposeless pathways, which lead nowhere in the 
end but right back into themselves again, so that 
each time one is but traveling out of present 



134 Christian Science 

misery, just to emerge into the same thing again ? 
And cannot you see further that when the Bible 
speaks of the law of the spirit of life in Jesus Christ 
setting you free from the law of sin and death, it 
is speaking of something real to your life right 
here to-day ? A law which raises your conscious- 
ness above the endless contradictions of human 
absence of thought to the Divine Principle which 
never contradicts itself, is always true, and always 
loving and always altogether Good. Cannot 
you see that this law is something separate and 
distinct from the laws which mortal man has 
thrown arotmd himself by lack of use of his true 
mentality for the milHons of years he has been on 
earth? *'Far as the east is from the west — so far 
are my ways from thy ways and my thoughts 
from thy thoughts, saith the Lord/' Nobody 
denies for an instant that doctors temporarily 
ctire disease — but why not appeal to God and rise 
permanently in consciousness to the point where 
you become subject to the law of Spirit (conscious 
of oneness with God) and free yourself from the 
'* carnal law'' which is made by carnal man? 
Even loss of your so-called ''mortal life" would 
not be too great a price to pay for such an out- 
come. The willingness to sacrifice such conscious- 
ness of ''life" for infinite principle will upraise 
consciousness here and now and will always de- 
monstrate that in truth adherence to God's law 
through any trial means greater consciousness of 
real life. But you say it cannot be done here. 



Does Matter Have Reality? 135 

Suppose we see what Jesus says about it: ''The 
Kingdom of Heaven is within you. ' ' ' 'Be ye there- 
fore perfect even as your Father which is in Heaven 
is perfect, '' and by the way, doesn't this sound to 
you a good deal Hke calHng every man a Son of 
God ? * ' This is eternal life, that they should know 
Thee,'' the only true God. A state of conscious- 
ness obtainable now at least to some extent, if 
indeed the Kingdom of Heaven is within you. 
''He that believeth on me, the works that I shall 
do shall he do also." "I go to prepare a place 
for you — that where I am there ye may be also." 
Remember and emphasize here again what has 
been previously said concerning human life as 
being psychical impulse without the intervention 
of matter. Divine Life is God and the real 
man is His image and likeness. 

"Well," you say, "if this be true, why has it 
not been demonstrated?" Jesus the Christ, our 
way shower to eternal life, did prove this and bade 
us follow him. Do you think he would have done 
so if it had been impossible, or if he had known 
himself as set apart from all other men in such a 
way that no other could follow his teaching? 
Don't you think that perhaps men have failed 
just because they have not understood the teach- 
ings of the Bible with reference to the "carnal 
law" and the "Spiritual law" — because they have 
been trying to progress by the road of something 
which they have thought of as law, but which 
was really only the aggregate of their own human 



136 Christian Science 

opinions, mentally enforced? And may it not 
be that by learning the ''law of God'' and by 
discarding the ''carnal law, '' which includes all of 
material science AS we know it, ^ we may find the 
way by which the things which Jesus tells us are 
true may become facts in life, instead of distant 
abstractions to be applied at some more favorable 
time and occasion? Think it over. May it not 
be that we have been giving the spiritual law only a 
far-distant and impractical bearing in our lives 
by not exercising our faith toward it, thus losing 
our knowledge of its power? — a knowledge each 
can gain for himself, denying the power of accu- 
mulated false opinion and using spiritual power to 
bring into consciousness the true. Which would 
you rather tie to. Spirit or Matter? God or 
Mammon ? The choice must be made. 

If I understand the teachings of Christian 
Science, they do not state that disease is not cxired, 
to mortal sense, by material means — they simply 
say that it is not permanently so cured — you are 
still in the labyrinth of human confusion and 
conflict of opinion. I do not know how I can 
state it so that you will fully apprehend it — but 

^ I do not wish to be understood as attempting to con- 
demn physical science or its study. As explanation I should 
surmise that the principle underlying the action of chemical 
substances was true, but the ideas of matter and some of the 
application thereof — a part of the law of "sin and death,*' but 
this is again opinion; it is difficult to separate the true from the 
false with the physical senses, but inharmony — negativeness — 
cannot be of God. 



Does Matter Have Reality? 137 

for myself, I know that this labyrinth is not real 
law, and that the law of God is something differ- 
ent, even the thought underiying, in which there 
is no evil. Think of what has been said of fire 
which will not burn. Further, I know that it is a 
law which is available to me to-day, if I can 
but grasp it and overcome my present opposition 
to it. I know it because in numberless places 
Jesus has said it, and because I feel that Ufe is 
Mind, God. Why not at least make the attempt 
to imderstand instead of refusing to do so? Is 
it not because you have so long worshiped some- 
thing which is not God, or God's law, that your 
human senses will not let you see that what you 
have worshiped is nothing but the darkness of 
mankind's false opinions, and not law at all? This 
is the condemnation, that light is come into the 
world and men loved darkness rather than the light. 
I wish I could say something which would make 
men see that we are as to all inharmony (sin, 
sickness, and death) just wandering in the darkness 
(absence of true consciousness) of our own opinions 
(lack of thought) and calling them law — and that 
God's law is available to everyone — a law with no 
evil in it. If everyone imderstood that and 
practiced it, there would be no astonishment at 
the miracles of Jesus, for it would then be seen that 
what he did was but the normal thing — and that 
the life we now are conscious of is abnormal, 
untrue — that all Jesus did was to restore to the 
consciousness of those he healed, their true condi- 



138 Christian Science 

tion as children of God, subject to His law, and 
freed by spiritual truth from the tyranny of their 
own accumulated mental falsities. ^ This does not 
destroy anything good or beautiful you now 
know. ''Ye shall know the truth and the truth 
shall make you free.'' A process possible now 
since Jesus demonstrated it; and possible even 
though we cannot diagram the process. 

Further read your Bible and see if you do not 
find in every place where it speaks of idolatry, a 
strong presumption that what is meant is the 
worship of the carnal law and carnal body which is 
''enmity to God'' — of something which did not 
spring from God at all, but from a sinful, wander- 
ing, false, human sense — which sets up idols of 
its own opinions and worships under the name of 
"The Law of God" and the "Law of Nature" 
much which has no kinship whatever to Him — 
who is altogether Good and who is All. See 
Amos 5 : 26. 

^In connection with the remarks in this chapter concern- 
ing confusion of cures of diseases, I desire to call the reader's 
attention again to the passage from Doctor Osier quoted elsewhere 
to the effect that "the inevitable conclusion [of many modern 
physicians including scientists in Vienna] is that most drugs 
^have no effect whatever on the diseases for which they have been 
given' '^ and that "the real curative agent is the buoyant mind." 
In making this statement absolutely the only difference between 
the good doctor and Mrs. Eddy is, that he gives credit for cure 
to the "buoyant" human mind, while Mrs. Eddy says that this 
mind can effect no permanent cure — you are still in the labyrinth 
— that tlie only real cure is to rise in consciousness to the point 
where you free yourself from the law of the carnal (human) mind 



Does Matter Have Reality? 139 

Just one more thought. Have you ever been 
fishing with a couple of other men, and seen them 
tangle up their lines? Ten to one if you have, 
one of them was of that type of mind which, when 
it seeks to untangle a fish line, pulls here, pulls 
there, and behold it is done; while the other was 
of that type which cannot untangle a line v/ithout 
putting the end hack through every hole that shows 
itself, and if you tried to tell him how to do it an 
other way, he couldn't see it, so you just sat down 
and helped him put the end through. Now it oc- 
curs to me that if life be continuous, we have had 
plenty of time to tangle up our fish lines. It also 
appears that the doctors are helping to untangle 
them along with the chemists by putting the end 
back through all the holes, while the Christian 
Scientists are doing the same thing in another, 
and as I believe, a better way. It also appears 
that there will, for some considerable time yet, 
be a few people on earth who cannot see that there 
is a quick way to untangle their lines, even though 
Jesus points the way through faith and absohUe 
trust in God and His Son Jesus Christ. And if so, 
why not help them in the way that seems best 
to them, and why not help the doctors to do it also. 
We are all going to the same station by different 

which is "enmity to God," and become subject to the jurisdic- 
tion of God's law, which is an entirely different thing. If Dr. 
Osier's statement be true, is it not an evidence of the truth of my 
statement that imending cures which are not cures have been 
used by men? 



140 Christian Science 

roads, but if we are patient we will all get there, 
for it is *'yoiir Father's good pleasure to give you 
the kingdom'' (Bible), or knowledge of Him and of 
yourself. 

Now, I know all about the argument that when 
you depend on something not God, you dishonor 
Him. I believe that it is right too, and that what 
God cannot do, no one else can, but after all, 
granting that it is a kind of faith in medicine that 
cures, even though not the best kind, and cure is 
good for men, don't you think that perhaps if 
one of God's children cannot see and understand 
the best way, God will lead him through other ways, 
and lesser degrees of faith, till he does, and isn't 
it God who is in everything Good, including the 
kind of faith required for a medical cure? (That 
isn't saying that cure is in the medicine.) Grant- 
ing that that cure [which is, as I understand it 
from a Science point of view, made by negative 
action (mortal mind)] is not permanent, isn't it a 
step leading in the direction of further understand- 
ing, perhaps by a needlessly long route, but none 
the less a route? I can see why it is not possible 
for the Christian Scientists and the doctors to 
work together. Their thoughts antagonize to-day, 
but if any given person cannot accept and trust in 
Christian Science as yet, are not the medical 
failures to permanently cure a way toward the 
truth for that person? Is not the doctor himself 
forced to progress and is he not going as straight as 
his methods can lead him to the conclusion that 



Does Matter Have Reality? 141 

God is the only cure ? Please note that this is not 
saying that the time has not yet arrived when we 
can use Spirit to cure. If that were true, I do not 
see how I could believe implicitly in the commands 
and truth of Jesus, for he certainly says, ''Be ye 
therefore perfect." And now is the accepted 
time. Remember here again that life is Mind 
alone. All I am saying is that there will be some 
persons who cannot or will not untangle their 
lines in the best way, and for those it seems to me 
that the medical profession should be recognized 
as helpful in this hour. Can it not therefore be 
true that a medical man whose work is consecrated 
to the glory of God (and whose daily labor is done 
in the consciousness of the fact that his researches 
are leading him and others to that goal) can be in 
his time and place an inspiration and a help to 
those who are not yet ready to accept the other 
path? I should say it all depended on where that 
medical man placed his faith ^ — on things of the 

^ For the sake of clearness I wish again to state that my idea 
of this "mind" which "perceives" evil is, that it is simply nega- 
tive, the aggregate of what man has not accomplished in his 
march toward Truth. Therefore it is a conflict of terms to regard 
this mind as having "faith," which is a positive quality of that 
mind which is always directed toward Truth. Wherever I use 
positive terms in describing the processes of the human mind, 
please understand that it is the weakness of language which 
makes me do so. I believe that this inertia which I feel in myself 
and which causes me to perceive suffering when I come in contact 
with God's true law (never changing and always right and good) 
is something mental {i. e., false psychic inertia) in which all 
men share alike, and that all htunan mortal life is "false men- 



142 Christian Science 

earth — matter, germs, misery — or on God. In one 
case, his Hfe will be directed toward understanding 
of God through the means at his command, which, 
while perhaps not the best means, are none the less 
a means, and his influence likewise; in the other 
case, toward a greater and greater belief in ma- 
terial things. ''Where your treasure is, there will 
your heart be also'' (Bible). 



tal influence" or "psychic inertia" without the intervention 
of a particle of matter. If then that which we call evil, 
which is a sense of separation from God (matter), inharmony 
and the like, is all caused by false consciousness or suffering in 
the midst of truth, and none of it attributable to God or a part of 
His quality, it appears also that God being All, inert mind cannot 
be, even though human logic and false sense try to say it has 
being. Therefore let (.us exercise our faith toward the truth 
which appears to come from God and not lack of intelligence 
toward that which calls itself truth and founds its testimony on 
itself or sense. Remember what Jesus says concerning that 
testimony which is of self alone being untrue. It doesn't satisfy 
to say that, "God gave dominion to man over all the earth, 
knowing as He must have known that it would be misused." 
There is something hid here, possibly that which is guarded by 
the angels at the gates of Eden, something not understood, but 
because we don't understand it, let us not make our own weakness 
the basis for denying the goodness of All, which is another name 
for God. Neither does it satisfy to say, as the Occultists do, that 
God, through love, allowed the kind of manifestation which 
produces evil in order that we might have life. To say that 
God could not give life without this, is degrading one's idea of 
Him. This is the one mystery. The day will come when it will 
be solved, and meantime, let us hold to the safe course of affirm- 
ing God's Infinite goodness in the face of appearance, even 
though that affirmation deny reality to many things which to-day 
seem real, and when we finally know the truth, untruth will not 
even seem to be and we will then know the answer to the mystery. 



Does Matter Have Reality? 143 

Perhaps here is where I should say a few things 
possibly not clearly set forth elsewhere regarding 
the medical profession. I have been accused 
by friends who have read other writings of mine, 
of being unfair to it. 

I can only answer that I have tried not to be so. 
I have attempted, at least, to state that which 
appears to me to be an influence for good in that 
profession, as well as that which appears to me to 
be an influence for evil, but that I may be clearly 
understood I here state again as follows. 

From my point of view, the doctors undoubtedly 
deserve unstinted credit for the devotion with 
which they have investigated the operations of 
the *'Law of sin and death.'* Unquestionably, 
they have thrown great light on the details of that 
law. Unquestionably they have learned a great 
deal about the ''how" of man's sinking into this 
dream of ''material" phenomena. Unquestion- 
ably also they have in great measure helped man- 
kind to rise by the unraveling process from many 
of the false mental states which have in the past 
obsessed them. They have from my point of 
view been doing all the time something different 
from what they thought they were doing. They 
have stamped out epidemics but not by the means 
they thought they used. The result has been the 
same, and for the result they deserve the utmost 
credit. 

The knowledge they have of the suppositional 
law of "sin and death" undoubtedly has been and 



144 Christian Science 

can be used as a way for the advancement of men, 
by teaching them what mental states they should 
avoid, and by using the force of majority opinion. 
I do not think it the best or true way, but it is 
none the less a way. Where the knowledge is 
wisely used it can help, but there are very many 
cases in which it is not wisely used. 

Let me ask you to consider this proposition — 
i. e., that the effort of very many medical men is 
directed toward using knowledge as a means of 
centering the patient's attention on his symptoms 
instead of away from them, and that they give 
mental conditions little or no consideration. Is 
it true or is it not? Answer the question for 
yourself. 

Let me give you two examples. A friend of 
mine has an open wound, the result of an injury. 
His doctor came to him and said, ''It's doing 
splendidly, but if it begins to turn a certain color 
around the edges you must look out.'' 

Now I ask you what possible good could the last 
part of this sentence have done. The doctor had 
ample opportunity for observing the wound 
himself. Why leave the patient with an itching 
desire to remove the bandage every five minutes 
in order to make sure that the color of the wound 
was not changing? 

Again I have a friend in a distant city whose 
life was misery for two years because he was 
told that he ** might have" a disease which subse- 
quent observation proved that he did not have at 



Does Matter Have Reality? 145 

all. Not only was he told that he ''might have" 
this disease but he was informed in great detail of 
all the things which ''might happen'' to him as a 
consequence, and he went around in a daylight 
nightmare for a long time in consequence. Now 
the doctor had again ample opportunity to observe 
the patient, and waiting a while would have proved 
to his own satisfaction the untruth even from a 
medical standpoint of his suppositions. Even 
supposing that it was necessary to tell the patient 
the bare fact of suspected possibility, was it 
necessary to draw mind pictures of all the final 
consequences, to sketch the experience of all the 
patients the doctor had ever had who suffered 
with the ** disease'' (i. e,y false consciousness 
proceeding from the ''law of sin and death")? 

Perhaps you can see that, regarding life as I do 
as purely mind and nothing else, I can find no word 
to adequately portray this kind of thing. I 
merely submit it and the following in a spirit of 
love to the serious consideration of progressive, 
thoughtful medical men. 

Personally, I believe that while doctors have 
done much good in unraveling past mental errors, 
they have also done some evil by supplying in the 
place of that which they have unraveled a more 
insidious tangle than previously existed, for as I 
have elsewhere stated, I believe that it is possible 
through the unconscious mental effect of majority 
opinion communicable, without words, life being 
purely mental, to set up new "laws" of health in 



146 Christian Science 

the *'law of sin and death," which will be just as 
thoroughly enforced mentally as the ''laws'' which 
by their worthy efforts the doctors have in the past 
been instrumental in destroying. The old-fash- 
ioned diseases which people took as a matter to 
be met with in passing along the road we call ' 'life, '' 
and took in a common-sense manner, are nothing 
when compared with the nightmarish inventions 
now being enforced in this merely mental life of 
ours by means of moving pictures, medical thought, 
and magazine articles on "germs," blood tests, 
and the like. What the medical profession, ably 
aided hy all mankind in general, are doing from this 
point of view is first to manufacture a belief in a 
"germ" and then go to work to tell each other 
how to avoid that which they themselves have 
illuded into seeming existence. And if you will 
consider again the possibility that life is mental 
"without the interposition of one particle of 
matter" you will see that this is no impossibility, 
though I do not state it dogmatically. It is 
merely the understanding now held by many 
sincere people who draw their beliefs from the 
teachings of the Bible. 

I know doctors who realize that life is largely 
mental, who are using their knowledge of the "law 
of sin and death" to wean people gradually away 
from that mass of errors for which no one class of 
men are exclusively responsible. They call this 
medical prevention; ''keeping people well." It is 
these men who ennoble the profession, it is these 



Does Matter Have Reality? 147 

men who as fast as some horror is invented, use 
their knowledge of that horror to good purpose. 
On the other hand, there are doctors not a few 
whose presence in the room brings with it the 
shroud and the casket, and whose influence is 
directed toward proving by the knowledge they 
have of a law which is not God's law, that the 
life they know is the only kind of life — and that 
the only God is Chemistry. I feel sure that such 
will one day be turned in God's way to the Know- 
ing of Universal and all-surrounding Love. 

I hope I have made it plain that to me, life 
being purely mental, it is not the knowledge or the 
existence of the medical profession that is at fault. 
It is the use being made of that knowledge by 
individuals — who with the best of motives seem 
to me to be making a terrible mistake, based on 
the supposition that '^material" life is and is the 
only life. In every walk in life there are those who 
use their knowledge to the glory of God wisely to 
the benefit of mankind, and there are also those 
who use their knowledge, to be sure with good 
intent and earnest motive, to the abasing of man's 
idea of God. The medical profession is no excep- 
tion to this rule. 

Lest I be at all misunderstood I desire again to 
here express my conviction that the ''law of sin 
and death" is not law, and that despite its seem- 
ing strength there is nothing stated in it which 
need be feared when consciousness is lifted up as 
outlined in the last chapter to a knowledge of the 



148 Christian Science 

Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus. ''And 
I, if I be lifted up will draw all men unto me" 
(Bible). 

The medical profession is noble or ignoble 
according to its use, but what it can never do, 
real law can. 

Finally I end this chapter as others by saying 
''Try this way, for only by demonstration can you 
understand it/' What you cannot by any means 
do when you lose sight of the allness of God and 
the unreality of matter, you can do when you hold 
these firmly in mind. 



«i 



a 



ill 



CHAPTER V. 

DOES EVIL HAVE REALITY? 

Whenever I start a chapter as above, which 
heading apparently can only be answered by a 
dogmatic statement, I find myself inclined to 
apologize to my reader, or at least to explain that 
I am not in any sense trying to make dogmatic 
statements concerning matters which have been 
the source of discussion since the world began. 
I do not pretend that the answers which I shall 
give — which seem to me to contain some of the 
truth — are final answers, for the nature of the 
problem is such that necessarily there remains 
much to be discovered, since we know now but 
little of the Infinite. All I am trying to do is to 
give, in as plain a way as possible, some things 
which have come into my mind, and which seem 
to supply at least a basis for believing as I do. 
I do not expect my readers necessarily to agree 
with me. I only hope, as I have previously 
several times said, that the wanderings of one 
man in the domain of the spiritual realm will help 
other men who read of them to press forward in 

their own search for Truth, God. 

149 



I50 Christian Science 

And right here let me say a few words concerning 
that person who turns around and ceases to 
struggle toward truth, because the views he is 
asked to consider controvert ''the wisdom of the 
ages/' Again there are many of these who are 
my very good friends, and what I say concerning 
this attitude of mind is without criticism. Each 
man must build his own pathway and I must 
build mine in the way that seems to me best, 
after I have sought Divine guidance, as must 
everyone. But to return. If it be true, as the 
Bible specifically states, that there are two laws 
surrounding men — one the *'Law of sin and 
death, *' the other the '' Law of the Spirit of life in 
Christ Jesus'' — those of mortal and spiritual mind 
respectively, may it not be true that much of the 
so-called ''wisdom of the ages'' is the kind of 
wisdom which the Bible says is "foolishness with 
God " ? And may it not be true that it is a kind of 
*' wisdom" which we would do well to get over as 
soon as possible? 

Right here seems to be the point of departure 
between physical science and Christian Science. 
The one deals with the history of mortal mind 
under which are included all so-called inharmoni- 
ous facts about the body — the other deals with a 
law beyond that made by man for his own conduct, 
which is not now clearly understood save by the 
exercise of that faith and intuition which brings 
into substance the things hoped for. Let me make 
myself plain. If I understand Christian Science 



Does Evil Have Reality? 151 

correctly, it says mortal mind seems to build its 
own body, to false sense it reverses God's plan of 
body, and in the course of the millions of years 
which even conventional science grants to the 
development of man, mortal man has himself 
made his own consciousness of the laws of body, 
the laws of chemistry, — as we know them^ — and 
all the other ''wisdom of the ages/' The theoso- 
phists make the same statements except that they 
say mortal mind builds its own body, i. e., they 
grant reality to matter. 

To be sure, these laws of sin and death (false 
psychic inertias, not ''matter'') have underlying 
them a divine plan (true spiritual influences) — 
*' underneath are the everlavSting arms" (Bible) — 
the consciousness admitted to be in the atom by 
chemists in truth, but the sense of that truth has 
been distorted by the false sense of matter as real 
and all wisdom has seemed tinged with this falsity 
or the externality of sensible objects to mind. 
This is not real wisdom since inharmony cannot 
belong to God but is "foolishness with God," 
for underneath is His Divine plan. It is a false 
consciousness of things which are essentially true 
and is induced by human belief or psychic inertias 
arising from the aggregate of false opinions. Among 
these opinions is the sense of separation from the 
One Mind and division into many minds, though 
individuality as an expression of Mind is true. 
Can you not see that from this point of view, much 

^ See note page 136. 



152 Christian Science 

of the ''wisdom of the ages" is something to be 
gotten over and forgotten just as soon as possible? 
I do not say all because we must have gone some 
way back on our homeward journey, but those 
things producing limitation and inharmony in 
consciousness cannot be of God. Can you not 
see also that the attainment of true knowledge, or 
that which is wisdom to God, is dependent on the 
willingness to admit the possible fallibility of 
mortal '* truth '* and to perceive immortal truth by 
the exercise of the faith which brings into sub- 
stance the things hoped for? Again can you not 
see that the Christian Scientist and the doctor 
when they discuss these subjects are talking about 
two different laws when they speak of law? The 
Christian Scientist admits that to mortal sense 
(which itself has built the false laws of body) 
there seems to be an inharmonious ''law of nature/' 
They do not deny that to the doctor, all the things 
he tells one about germs seem (to him and others) 
to be true, when judged by the physical senses, but 
they say this is of that wisdom which is "foolish- 
ness with God," because, producing inharmonj^, 
it cannot be of God and must be produced by 
false mind — a dream of separation from God. The 
sooner you raise your consciousness above these, 
to the real law which is God's wisdom, the better. 

The doctor and the Scientist are like two imagi- 
nary persons standing on the seashore — one of 
them is equipped with eyes which see water 
only and the other is equipped with eyes which see 



J 



Does Evil Have Reality? 153 

land only. You say this is an impossible example. 
But is it? Even orthodox scientists tell us that 
if there be living beings on other planets, they 
must, in some cases, be living without air. It is 
granted that the example will probably not happen 
on this planet at once, but is it impossible to 
conceive of a consciousness so equipped that it 
could see only water and another so equipped 
that it could see only land? And if it seems im- 
possible to you, think again of Mr. Huxley's 
conclusion regarding the qualities which may not 
exist in things. If you will stop for a minute 
and think you will see that here is a very nice 
opporttmity for debate without end, and the 
Christian Scientist is therefore wise to avoid the 
discussion, as would be the doctor. (I am in- 
debted, by the way, for the illustration above to 
Mr. C. W. Leadbeater.) 

But to return again. Frankly it seems to me 
that those who say that they will not consider a 
subject because it controverts things supposed to 
be truth are making a mistake. It also seems to 
me that those who take the attitude that they 
will not consider a subject because it seems to them 
to be ''extreme'' are making a like mistake. It 
is probable that those persons who adopt a middle 
course, either through timidity or extreme of 
caution, are in this world happier, but can they 
learn as fast? Can they progress toward Truth? 
Suppose one adopts an ''extreme" attitude which 
is wrong, will he not sooner learn the wrong and 



154 Christian Science 

abandon it than that person who simply skims 
the edges of the wrong, and therefore can con- 
tinuously deceive himself as to its being wrong? 
I know that this is a dangerous doctrine, for there 
are many good people who will understand me to 
have said that I advocate sinning as a means of 
education. None the less, I stick to my opinion 
that if a person has to sin, a real hard working 
sinner will probably turn around and go in the 
other direction sooner than he who merely flirts 
around the edges. Like the little child who hurts 
himself, he will sooner come with his trouble to the 
consciousness that he needs his Heavenly Father. 
I have heard evangelists say pretty nearly the 
same thing, only they didn't know they were 
saying it. You see, I can account for the possi- 
bility of a good God only on the supposition that 
some people are ''bom'' to a consciousness of 
such surroundings here that they cannot do much 
but sin. The Bible says, ''The fathers have 
eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are 
set on edge." They are so situated because 
human belief has created a false consciousness 
which now seems to separate them from God ; and 
appears to create also their present sense of 
''external" surroundings, which are really mental 
(psychic) inertias within their own false conscious- 
ness and are induced by human false opinions. 
I am also forced to believe that such will have a 
chance to learn not to sin somewhere else, if they 
do not learn here. If I believed that this was 



Does Evil Have Reality? 155 

the only opportunity, I would have a hard time to 
believe, at the same time, that God is or that He 
is Good. I cannot see salvation save through 
progress in knowledge of Christ Jesus and his 
life, and this short span of human existence may 
be insufficient for that. Though if indeed there 
be a different law of consciousness than that which 
we have called law, progress may be much faster 
than we anticipate, since all that is needed is the 
attainment of spiritual consciousness. 

Perhaps this is as good a place as any for me to 
say something to those many people who feel 
that the war in Europe is an indication of the 
failure of the principles of Christianity and a 
further indication of the fact that humanity is 
going backward instead of forward. Of course, 
from a strictly Christian Scientist's point of view, 
no one is really being killed in this war. Those 
who appear to be killed are merely carrying on 
their consciousness elsewhere until all false belief 
of life apart from God is destroyed, but that I 
suppose is something which is not necessary to 
discuss here. Christian Scientists I beUeve all 
lament the thoughts of the carnal mind, hatred, 
jealousy, and all inharmony, which are the cause 
of the war and which, from a Christian Science 
point of view, undoubtedly have a far-reaching 
effect every^^here as thoughts in affecting the con- 
sciousness of humanity. As I have said previously, 
it can be demonstrated that the unspoken thought 
is as potent a mental influence for others as 



156 Christian Science 

the spoken word. Mind is all. However, let 
me ask you this: Do you not find it somewhat 
difficult to assess the responsibility for this war 
and the misery attendant upon it (whether you 
regard that misery as mental or material) against 
God ? Can you do this and at the same time believe 
that there is a God and that the God who is 
Eternal Life and Love, All, is also cognizant of 
this evil war? I frankly say that I cannot and 
that if I believed that God was in any sense 
responsible for this kind of misery, I would be 
forced by that belief to give up my belief in a 
God who is Good afnd All Powerful. 

Just as a suggestion for you to consider: May it 
not be that the war, the thoughts of hatred, human 
will, greed, personal ambition, and the misery 
attendant upon them, are part of the ''Law of 
sin and death," for which humanity alone is 
responsible? May it not be that these things 
are part of that so-called law which mortals for 
millions of years have been building? Is it not a 
part of the love of ''material" things — ^for can you 
name any cause of this or any other war that does 
not have its root in mortal mind and its manifes- 
tation "matter," the source of all evil? And 
may it not also be true on the principle that I 
have just enunciated, that he who takes an extreme 
attitude will sooner return like a tired child to his 
Heavenly Father? May it not be true, that 
through the misery attendant upon this war, 
the hold of men upon material things will be to 



Does Evil Have Reality? 157 

some extent loosened, so that they can learn 
that the things of Spirit, the things of the law of 
Jesus Christy are the only things that are worth 
seeking? ''By his stripes we are healed." I 
declare it as my conviction for myself, that 
whether I can see this as a fact in consciousness 
or not ; I am none the less going to assert it. For to 
believe that God has anything whatever to do 
with war and its attendant miseries, would be 
denying that idea of God which is a necessity to 
existence, and rather than deny Him, we should, 
no matter how difficult, deny the belief which 
dishonors Him. 

''He that hateth his life in this world, shall 
save it unto life eternal' ' (John 12-15). If we 
all really lived this and beUeved truly in eternal 
life, is there anything, even "a shell bursting in 
the back yard," as a recent newspaper article 
phrases it, which would induce in us the thought 
of injuring another? Think it over. 

Returning to our subject, however, what would 
become of our great inventors and indeed of the 
progress of the world in the expression of new ideas 
of God, if no one was found who was willing to 
adopt and try out with faith an "extreme" 
attitude? How many were there who called 
Edison "extreme" while his inventions were yet 
in the form of a faith which is the "substance of 
things hoped for"? I remember very clearly that 
less than thirty years ago, my own father told me 
that he had seen a self-propelled vehicle on the 



158 . Christian Science 

street, but that the general opinion was that the 
idea would not amount to much, because such a 
vehicle would not ''obtain traction/' He was a 
banker and I have no doubt that the good bankers 
of that time often refused to loan money to makers 
of such vehicles because they were ''visionary,'' 
which is another word for "extreme." And yet 
because somebody had faith in the "substance of 
things hoped for'' and was willing to pin that 
faith on something which seemed to the good 
banker "extreme" a great industry has been 
built up, a new idea out of the universal mind 
(true at base even though surrounded by false con- 
ceptions of "matter") given expression, and many 
men brought thereby nearer to God. You see I 
am not denying the utility of the good things of 
the world as a means of advancing men, or their 
reality, only denying reality to the false conceptions 
of men. Christian Science destroys nothing of 
beauty or truth. The birds sing and the trees 
whisper the Love of God only the more truly 
when the false sense of matter and evil are gone. 

Finally when you get a demonstrable truth, 
can you have too much of it? 

But I see that I have come far from the subject 
of my chapter, so let us return to what seems to 
me to be the truth about evil, which statement is 
in itself an example of the weakness of the English 
language, since there can be no truth about evil. 

I start this subject as I have others, by saying 
that the idea I have of God precludes the possibility 



Does Evil Have Reality? 159 

of evil being real; therefore though my senses try 
to tell me that it is real, I deny my senses rather 
than deny the conception of God which is a 
necessity to my life. But are there any other 
things I can say which will lead me to the point 
where I am ready to leave that limited instrument, 
the human mind, and rely on the faith which is the 
* ' substance of things hoped f or ' 7 I think there are. 

Refer to the last chapter and go over again the 
conclusions reached about the existence of a 
sense of matter. Then ask yourself — Have I 
any sensations of evil, which are not connected 
with the sense of matter or separation from God 
(a synonym)? If you can think of any let me 
know and I will thank you, for I have been unable 
to do so. Mind you, I do not say that you have 
not some sensations connected with matter which 
are pleasurable to mortal mind, but I do venture 
the assertion that all of the sense of evil you have 
is connected in some way with your sense of 
matter, inertia, i. ^., externality to One Mind of 
sensible objects, a false sense of separation from 
the spiritual source which supplies all your real 
needs. ''By every word that proceedeth out of 
the mouth of God shall man live" (Bible), i. e., 
by ideas which reflect God. 

Suppose we comprise the sense of evil in the 
words sin, sickness, and death. I think these 
three words pretty well cover the subject. Very 
well, what is the sting of death? Manifestly 
the fear of the loss of '' material' ' things including 



i6o Christian Science 

a material body to the one who passes on (though 
I doubt whether that sense is really lost until the 
consciousness rises above it), and a sense of the 
loss of a '' material' ' presence to those who remain 
— therefore, we are accustomed to think of death 
as an evil, but that sting is lost when the con- 
sciousness of, and desire for, material things 
leave us. If you realized as a fact' in consciousness 
your oneness with God and the fact that all you 
call ''matter'' is in reality mortal belief (psychic 
inertia) you would then know that through seem- 
ing death you lose nothing which you now really 
have (eternal consciousness). When you have 
raised your individual consciousness above ''false 
material (psychic) influences" — the "carnal law" 
— death will be conquered and swallowed up in 
victory, Jesus says, "He that hateth his life in 
this world shall save it unto life eternal" (Bible). 
If we really lived the spirit of this saying, would 
that which we call "death" have any fear for us? 
Would not our only fear be that of breaking the 
real law of God? Would we not then fear to fail in 
that love toward our neighbor which He commands, 
rather than fear the loss of "life" or some other 
"material" thing? — What then becomes of war? 

And what is sickness? Can you think of any 
so-called sickness (discomfort) which is not in 
some way connected with inertia ("matter")? 
Even the sicknesses which we are accustomed to 
label mind sicknesses are found, on analysis, to be 
connected with mortal mind, which as Mr. Huxley 



Does Evil Have Reality? i6i 

has rather effectually pointed out may be simply 
synonymous with the sense of separation from 
God, and even if you cannot see this to be true, 
you would not be conscious of these and would 
not acquire them were it not for the sense of 
having a material body. 

What then becomes of sin? Can you think of 
any sin which is not connected with the sense of 
matter? Don't misunderstand — I know that one 
can sin in thought, so-called; but what sin either 
of thought or of act can you think of that is not 
connected with your sense of matter? I cannot 
think of any. Can you? 

If then the sense of sin always comes about be- 
cause of the sense of matter, and never otherwise, 
is it not true that when you rise above the con- 
sciousness of matter, you will also rise above the 
consciousness of a sense of sin? And if matter be 
non-existent is it not also a necessary consequence 
that evil be so also? Except as a false conscious- 
ness in mortal man? Inertia = a negative quality, 
therefore not of God as defined herein. It seems 
to me that perception of matter is the one sin or 
idolatry, and that it pertains to false consciousness 
and carnal mind alone; is not of God and not 
real, though it is not denied by anyone that it 
seems very real to carnal mind. 

I am willing to rest this case here so far as my 
own argument is concerned, except for a few 
suggestions. Have you ever taken a four-year- 
old boy for a walk some Sunday afternoon, and 



i62 Christian Science 

met on the street a poor unfortunate woman, 
bearing in her face the signs of sin which should 
awaken the helpful instincts of all who see her? 
Did the boy see anything evil? Is it not possible 
that if she stopped to speak to him, he saw through 
that which your older sense of the reality of evil 
could not penetrate, and was just as natural, 
unaffected, and happy in speaking to her as to 
another? And is it not suggestive that the 
child sees not evil, and only learns of it as his 
sense of material things becomes stronger? Again, 
can you produce in the child mind any of the fear 
of death which his elders have, and why not? 
Further, has it ever seemed strange to you that the 
little child cannot locate pain without your help? 
Also that it has no sense of sex? 

Have you ever thought about darkness? What 
is darkness? Merely a false sense of the absence 
of light. To us it seems to be something, but is 
nothing. When the light comes in, then the dark- 
ness is not; even to our false senses. May it not 
be that this suppositional part of us, which we call, 
for want of a better name, mortal mind, is simply 
a portion of the belief which man seems to be 
dreaming for a short period compared to the total 
existence — a dream which has pulled down the 
shades, thinks of itself falsely, and disappears into 
nothingness?^ 

' Please in this connection review what has been said on 
page 64, paragraph 3, regarding Universal and Individual con- 
sciousness. 



Does Evil Have Reality? 163 

All must get out from the sense of mental 
darkness which, while it seems real, is really 
nothing, or a suppositional absence of God, since 
Infinite God cannot in reality be absent. 

Further if you are a child of the light, will you 
not suffer when in the false sense of darkness — 
just as a fish suffers in the air — and will you not 
continue to suffer just as long as you remain in the 
sense of darkness {and no longer), even though the 
darkness be nothing, save what seems to you to be 
an absence of God ? No, I cannot see how you can 
have this sense if you believe that God is All, but I 
affirm that He is All none the less, because I 
know that He must be, and I would deny my 
material senses threefold, rather than deny Him. 
In this connection, however, please review the 
remarks on ''dreaming,'' on page 48 of this book. 

And this brings me to another thought, which 
has been much with me of late. Have you ever 
considered how often the Bible uses the words 
''light'' and "darkness," and how persistently 
they have been construed to mean "good" and 
"evil"? And had you thought that there might 
be here a hint or suggestion intended to convey 
to us the relation between matter and evil? For 
what makes darkness? The interposition of 
something between you and the source of light, 
you say. Yes, but what is this something? 
What makes the night? You say the interposition 
of the earth between us and the sun. And what is 
the earth but a sense of matter? And if you did 



164 Christian Science 

away with your sense of matter (raised your 
consciousness above it), would there be any dark- 
ness for you, or any shadow? And do you re- 
member that the Bible says of God ''the darkness 
and the light are both alike to Him '7 And how 
also it says ''this is the condemnation that light 
has come into the world and men loved darkness 
rather than light '7 And if the Bible speaks of 
darkness as synonymous with evil — and that is 
the sense in which it has been mainly interpreted 
— and darkness is caused by a sense of matter, 
do we not come back to our original proposition 
— things equal to the same thing are equal to 
each other — and force ourselves to say: 

Darkness = sin, according to the Bible. 
Darkness = absence of light according to 

sense. 
Darkness = interposition of a sense of 

matter. 
Therefore Sin = a sense of matter or a false 

sense of absence of Spirit ; 

i, e,y separation from God. 

But you say very logically, if the sense of matter 
were destroyed the sun would also be destroyed 
and we would have no source of light. That is 
also what I said and then I stopped to think that 
possibly that would not be true to my spiritual 
senses. For what does the Bible say? — "The sun 
shall be no more thy Hght by day, neither for bright- 
ness shall the moon give light unto thee [i. e.. 



Does Evil Have Reality? 165 

consciousness of matter as source of light shall no 
longer be known], but the Lord shall be unto thee 
an everlasting light [no night] [i. e.^ to your spiritual 
senses], and thy God thy glory/' 

''The sun shall no more go down, neither shall thy 
moon withdraw itself \i, e., there shall no longer be a 
sense of matter interposed between you and the 
Source of light], for the Lord shall be thine ever- 
lasting light \i, ^., to the spiritual senses], and the 
days of thy mourning [the days when you had 
consciousness of matter] shall be ended/' 

Does not this seem to fit in remarkably well 
with what I have been saying? ''For behold I 
create a new heaven and a new earth [without 
matter] and the former shall not be remembered 
nor come into mindr (Does not this sound like a 
state of consciousness?) 

Listen also to the words of Jesus: "Ye are of 
your father, the devil [personified evil] ; when he 
speaketh a lie he speaketh of his own for he is a 
liar and the father of it." Does it not seem logical 
to you to believe that the father of a lie is a lie^ 
and externalizes himself in liars carnal mortals ? 

You perhaps noticed that in the last chapter I 
omitted to end with any scriptural quotations. 
It was an accident — but when I came to consider 
the matter it seemed to me that the accident was 
what you call providential, for all of the scripture 
on this subject can be used interchangeably as 
applying to both matter and evil. Therefore, I 
end this chapter as before, with quotations from 



1 66 Christian Science 

the Bible. It is as I have previously said not mine 
to interpret these for you (though in some cases 
I have added my own translation). ''Knock and 
it shall be opened unto you, seek and ye shall find. 
For unto him that knocketh it shall be opened and 
he that seeketh, findeth." Read these quotations 
in the light of what I have said. Then shut your 
eyes and give them meditation with the spiritual 
sense with a desire to know the truth, and see what the 
result will be. 

Let me say further, that anyone who will spend 
half an hour each day with closed eyes in quiet 
thinking of these things and of the words of the 
Bible will get benefit from it which will help him 
not only in spiritual growth but in the right living 
of his life which is the same thing. Further I say 
again try this way if you have not, for only by 
demonstration can you understand and by keeping 
in mind the non-existence of matter and of evil 
to the glory of God, hard though these things may 
be for you to see, you can accomplish things which 
can be accomplished in no other way, both in 
health and in living a useful and happy life. 

Note: The quotations at the end of Chapter VI. will be found 
to best express the basis for the beliefs in this book. It is not 
thought wise to give many here since the full argument is not 
yet developed. The reader is requested to refer to paragraph 2 
on page 40 here and to read it before reading the scripture 
quotations now submitted. It should also be said here that the 
Bible quotations appended to the chapters of this book do not all 
logically pertain to the subject-matter of the chapters to which 
they are attached. Also since many verses contain two thoughts 



Does Evil Have Reality? 167 

they do not exclusively pertain to the headings under which they 
appear. The purpose is only partly contained in a desire to 
substantiate opinions. It goes further than that; the desire 
being to stimulate the reader's interest in studying Bible verses in 
the light of new beliefs. Hence some quotations do not pertain 
directly to the subject-matter and some have been repeated in 
order to bring them in proximity to others, or in order to amplify 
interpretations. 

NON-EXISTENCE OF EVIL OR MATTER. 

Note: Only a few quotations are given here. For a further 
interpretation of these matters from Bible texts see end of 
Chapter VI. , 

Gen. 1:31. And God saw everything that he had 
made, and, behold, it was very good, 

John 1 : 3. All things were made by him, and 
without him was not any thing made that was made. 

[Can a good tree bring forth evil fruit ?] 

Ecc. 3: 14, 15. I know that, whatsoever God 
doeth, it shall be forever: Nothing can be put to it, 
nor anything taken from it. God doeth it, that men 
should fear before him. 

That which hath been is now; and that which is to 
be hath already been; and God requireth that which is 
past. [Yet God made All and All he made was good, 
as stated in the first two quotations on this page.] 

[Down to this point, do you not think that the 
quotations strongly indicate the non-reality of evil? 
Study them.] 

Deut. 32:3, 4. He is the Rock, his work is per- 
fect ; for all his ways are judgment : a God of truth 
and without iniquity, just and right is he. 

[Can a good tree bring forth evil fruit?] 

Psalm 36:9. For with thee is the fountain of life; 
in thy light shall we see light. 



1 68 Christian Science 

[Can''a good tree bring forth evil fruit ?] 

Psalm 45 : 6. Thy throne, O God, is for ever and 
ever : the scepter of thy kingdom is a right scepter. 

11. Timothy i : 7. For God hath not given us the 
spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a 
sound mind. 

Psalm 146: 6. Which made heaven, and earth, the 
sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth forever. 

[Can a good tree bring forth evil fruit?] 

I know that whatsoever God doeth, it shall be 
forever, nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken 
from it. And God doeth it, that men should fear 
before him. 

That which hath been Is now; and that which Is to 
be hath already been; and God requireth that which 
is past. 

Colossians 1:16, 17. For by him were all things 
created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, 
visible [not illusions] [in reality] and invisible, whether 
they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or 
powers; all things were created by him and for him. 
And he is before all things, and by him all things 
consist. [But he made nothing evil, all good. *'God 
saw everything that he had made and behold it was 
very good.''] 

Proverbs 3:19. The Lord by wisdom hath founded 
the earth; hy understanding hath he established the 
heavens. [Not by matter, but by ideas.] 

Gen. 1:4, 5. And every plant of the field before it 
was in the earth [ideas] and every herb of the field be- 
fore it grew; in the day that the Lord God made the 
earth and the heavens. 

James 3:11, 12. Doth a fountain send forth at the 
same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, 



Does Evil Have Reality? 169 

my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so 
can no fountain yield salt water and fresh. 

Psalm 139:7-12. Whither shall I go from thy 
spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I 
ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my 
bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings 
of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of 
the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy 
right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness 
[my sense of matter] shall cover me; even the night 
shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness [matter, 
untruth] and the light [spirit, truth], are both alike to 
thee. [If both are alike one cannot exist. Toward 
which do you prefer to exercise your faith?] 

James 1:17. Every good gift and every perfect 
gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father 
of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither 
shadow of turning. 

[How about evil? The answer is: '* For all that Is 
in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eye 
and the pride of life is not of the Father, but is of the 
world.'' I. John 2: 16.] 

I. John 4:7, 8. Beloved, let us love one another: 
for love is of God: and everyone that loveth is born of 
God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth 
not God;/^r God is love. 

[Can a good tree bring forth evil fruit?] 

Job 37: 23. Touching the Almighty, we cannot find 
him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, 
and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict. [Is the 
war an affliction ? Is it from God ?] 

Psalm 62:11. God hath spoken once; twice have 
I heard this ; That power belongeth unto God, 



170 Christian Science 

SPIRITUAL MAN. 

Gen. 1:26. And God said, Let us make man in 
our image, after our likeness: and let them have do- 
minion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of 
the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and 
over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 

[Compare with Gen. 5:3: ''And Adam . . . begat 
a son in his own likeness after his image.''] 

Acts 17:29. Forasmuch then as we are the off- 
spring of God, we ought not to think that the God- 
head is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by- 
art and man's device [''material" bodies]. 

Psalms 27:1-5. The Lord is my light, and my 
salvation ; whom shall I fear ? The Lord is the strength 
of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the 
wicked, even mine enemies and my foes [my own false 
conceptions], came upon me to eat up my flesh, they 
stumbled and fell. 

Though an host should encamp against me, my 
heart shall not fear; though war should rise against 
me, in this will I be confident. 

One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I 
seek after; that I may dwell in the house [the con- 
sciousness] of the Lord all the days of my life, to be- 
hold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in the 
temple [the true body of God's idea]. 

For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his 
pavilion, in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide 
me; he shall set me up upon a rock. 

Psalm 91:5, 7. Thou shalt not be afraid for the 
terror by night ; nor for the arrow that flieth by day ; 
nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor 
for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. 



Does Evil Have Reality? 171 

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand 
at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. 
[If you are abiding in Christ, i.e., a consciousness of 
the mind which was in Christ ; subject to the spiritual 
law.] 

Isaiah 12:2. Behold, God is my salvation; I will 
trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my 
strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. 

Romans i : 20, For the invisible things [to the 
senses] of him from the creation of the world are 
clearly seen, being understood by the things that are 
made, even his eternal power and Godhead. [Under- 
neath the false conception is the truth. '' Underneath 
are the everlasting arms."] 

James 1:18. Of his own will begat he us with 
the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first- 
fruits of his creatures. 

Romans 8:28. And we know that all things work 
together for good to them that love God [the higher 
minds of men — for the *' carnal mind is enmity to 
God"], to them who are the called according to his 
purpose. 

MORTAL MAN AND IDOLATRY. 

Gen. 5:3. And Adam begat a son in his own like- 
ness after his image. 

Psalm 78:17, 22. And they sinned yet more 
against him by provoking the most High in the wilder- 
ness. And they tempted God in their heart by asking 
meat [material instead of spiritual; ''man shall not 
live by bread alone''] for their lust. [''No man is 
tempted of God; he is led away of his own lust and 
deceived."] Yea, they spake against God; they said, 



17^ Christian Science 

Can God furnish a table in the wilderness? Behold, 
he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and 
the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? Can 
he provide flesh for his people? Therefore the Lord 
heard this, and was wroth: because they believed not 
in God, and trusted not in his salvation. 

Romans 13: ii. And that, knowing the time, that 
now it is high time to awake out of sleep [conscious- 
ness of evil]: for now is our salvation nearer than 
when we believed. 

Exodus 34: 12, 14. Take heed to thyself, lest thou 
make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, 
whither thou goest [with the carnal mind], lest it be 
for a snare in the midst of thee : 

But ye shall destroy their altars [carnal law], break 
their images, and cut down their groves; 

For thou shalt worship no other god : for the Lord, 
whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. [In the old 
Testament, these allusions to a God who has human 
qualities have crept in in many places, and seem to me 
to be the result of the conception of Him which was 
then prevalent. They certainly conflict with other 
passages in which a different idea of Him is given.] 

Deut. 4:15. Take ye therefore good heed unto 
yourselves ; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the 
day that the Lord spake unto you in Horeb out of the 
midst of the fire [body = similitude]. 

Deut. 12 : 29, 30. When the Lord thy God shall cut 
off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest 
to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and dwell- 
est in their land ; 

Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by 
following them, after that they be destroyed from 
before thee ; and that thou enquire not after their gods, 



Does Evil Have Reality? 173 

saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even 
so will I do likewise. 

Job 31 : 26-28. If I beheld the sun when it shined, 
or the moon walking in brightness ; and my heart hath 
been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my 
hand: 

This also were an iniquity to be punished by the 
judge : for I should have denied the God that is above 
[idolatry, worship of matter]. 

Psalm 44:20-21. If we have forgotten the name 
of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange 
god [mortal sense]; Shall not God search this out? for 
he knoweth the secrets of the heart. 

Isaiah 2:17. And the loftiness of man shall be 
bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be 
made low; and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that 
day. 

Matthew 4: 10. It is written. Thou shalt wor- 
ship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 
{Not carnal law, matter, body, which is enmity to God — 
or the body.] 

II. Cor. 3: 15. But even unto this day, when 
Moses is read, the vail [a sense of matter so that they 
do not perceive the spiritual meaning of the Scripture] 
is upon their heart. 

Proverbs 9: 10. The fear of the Lord is the begin- 
ning of wisdom. [For nothing else has power that 
you need fear.] 



CHAPTER VI. 

CHRIST JESUS AND THE MEANING OF LIFE. 

To all who believe that the Bible contains the 
truth (and this does not mean that there are no 
mistakes in it, or that no errors of translation have 
crept in) Christ is the central figure of the ages. 
Different individuals who profess Christianity 
view him in different ways, but to each individual, 
who is a true Christian, he is the way to salvation. 
The differences of opinion as to how this salvation 
comes about arise not because of a dispute as to 
the fact that it is through the Christ spirit that all 
men are saved, but because of differences of view as 
to how the process is accomplished. It seems to me 
that these differences are just as unnecessary in the 
churches, as we have seen the differences between 
the Christian Scientist and the chemist to be. 

Let me see if I can make you understand what I 
mean, and remember again I am not making 
dogmatic statements, only giving you the pro- 
cesses through which one man has come, with the 
hope that they will help some other man on his 
journey. I have no criticism for any man's 
sincere beliefs. If he be wrong, God will lead him, 

174 



Christ and Meaning of Life 175 

if I be wrong, He will lead me also to final under- 
standing of Truth. 

Had you ever considered that there is a strange 
unanimity in various quarters concerning the fact 
that there seem to be two minds in each man ? If 
you have not, read your Bible carefully again with 
this thought in mind, and see if you do not reach 
the conclusion that it teaches consciousness of 
either two distinct minds or two aspects of the 
same mind. I am inclined to the first belief for the 
Bible says, '*the carnal mind is enmity against 
God,'' and then again it says, '*the corruptible 
cannot inherit incorruption, '' which sounds to me 
like a hint to those that have ears that the same 
mind cannot contain both aspects. True mind 
is not contained, and is One, therefore I say 
''consciousness of two minds.'' An5rway, the 
Bible certainly speaks of the ''carnal mind" and 
the "Mind which was in Christ Jesus," and ad- 
monishes you to "let that mind be in you," i.e., 
consciousness that there is but one mind without 
separation from God — not many minds. Then 
again, modem psychologists have discovered that 
man has two minds, the objective, which reasons 
deductively, {i,e,, from external facts — material 
facts), and the subjective mind, which knows 
nothing of deductive reasoning {i.e., corruption 
cannot inherit incorruption"), and it seems to me 
that they might have well named them so-called 
carnal mind and Mind of Christ just as the Bible 
does. Again comes Mrs. Eddy with the "mortal 



176 Christian Science 

mind*' which seems to perceive material things, 
and the ' 'spiritual mind '' which does not, and is the 
Christ Mind the Manifestation of the One Mind. 
A strange similarity in the conclusions is there not ? 
This is to some extent repetition, but for a purpose. 

Further, you will see, if you read your Bible 
carefully again, that there is a '*Law of sin and 
death" which is the law of the carnal mind — or 
mortal mind, and a *'Law of the Spirit of life in 
Christ Jesus ' ' which ' * sets you free ' ' from the ' ' Law 
of sin and death.'* Also I am told, and have seen 
it stated in a competent psychological work, that 
the psychologists in common with Mrs. Eddy and 
the Bible have at least speculated that there is 
something within man which is a ''Law unto 
itself" apart from objective things. 

I suggest, for your careful study, the thought 
that "the mind which was in Christ Jesus," the 
subjective mind, is possibly that mind which 
right now is unconscious of separation from God the 
One Real Mind, and unconscious of the sense of 
matter which makes the sense of separation. A 
mind which is the real "you" (not the dreamer, 
untrue carnal mind) and at the same time One 
with universal consciousness. Also that possibly 
if you could bring that mind more actively into 
consciousness (i.e,j know God, whom to know is 
eternal life, and know Him face to face not through 
a glass darkly) you would to-day (without the 
process called "death") consciously have eternal 
life, and be able to live consciously the life of the 



Christ and Meaning of Life 177 

Christ, the real ideal man which is not cognizant 
of the false law made by the carnal man by his 
false opinions mentally enforced. ''He that be- 
lieveth on me hath eternal life'' (Bible). In this 
connection see again page 64 paragraph 3. 

With this as a basis, suppose we go back and 
speculate a little ourselves, using the Bible as a 
basis. Is it not possible that when the Bible tells 
of the second creation, referred to elsewhere, of man 
(yes, there are two accounts of creation in Genesis; 
read it and see), it is speaking of the creation by 
the Adam Man, in whom all die (Bible), of a false 
sense of matter? ''Adam begat a son in his own 
image'' (Bible). Is it not suggestive that the 
result of eating of the apple {ix,, the taste of mate- 
rial things) was that Adam and Eve became con- 
scious of a sense of material bodies which they 
evidently had no sense of before? Hence they had 
not known that they were naked. Has it ever 
come home to you, further, that in the story of Cain 
and Abel, there is a possible allegory of the man 
(material mind) who brought an unacceptable gift 
of material things to God, and being angered 
because they were not acceptable, and believing 
in material things, killed his brother? — ix,y lost for 
a time his own spiritual perception of his brother 
(spiritual mind) , though of course there is no final 
killing of spiritual sense or spiritual man. And 
had it occurred to you that there is a striking 
similarity between the curse that was pronounced 
on Cain (material mind) {i.e.^ that he should live 



178 Christian Science 

in the perception and under the labor of material 
things) and that passage in the New Testament 
where it says ''and this is the condemnation, that 
Hght is come into the world, and men loved 
darkness [ix,, the sense of matter, lack of true 
consciousness] rather than light''? Remember 
also that a curse is pronounced on ''whosoever 
killeth Cain'' (material mind) instead of raising it 
through Love to the perception of Truth. Read 
your Bible carefully again and see if you can- 
not find in the Book of Job the allegory of the 
descent of a man's consciousness (the material 
dream) into a perception of material things and 
its ascent again into knowledge of that "truth 
which shall make you free." See if the story of 
Jonah and the whale is not suggestive of the same 
thing to you, and try if you cannot perceive in the 
story of the wanderings of the Children of Israel, 
the allegory of many things that happen in the life 
of every man. May it not be true that the Bible, 
as well as common sense, teaches that the percep- 
tion of "matter" in false consciousness is the one 
sin from which others spring? May this not be 
what the Bible conveys by the use of the word 
"Idolatry" — the worship of something not God? 

I am not attacking the truth of the story itself. 
Doubtless, much of it is a literal possibility and is 
historically true. I think, and I believe that you 
will agree with me, that Adam and Eve simply 
typify men and women and that what is known as 
the "fall of Adam" did not take place in a moment 



Christ and Meaning of Life 179 

or indeed in many years, but what I am trying to 
point out is that while the history may be true of 
beliefs there is under the stories in the Bible a 
spiritual truth for those who can see it, that reaches 
to the foundations of every man's being and ex- 
plains him to himself as nothing else can. Further- 
more, that much of the explanation is consistent 
with the findings of modem science and more 
consistent with Christian Science.^ 

True Man is spiritual and exists as God's idea, 
but the Myth or Adam Man through some fault 
of his own, typified in the Bible by eating the 
apple (material object), became equipped with the 
false consciousness non-existent of carnal mind, a 
dream which seemed to know ''materiar' things. 
These *' material' ' things are the sources of all evil 
according to the Bible, Mrs. Eddy, and common 
sense. He commenced to construct with that 
carnal mind the '*Law of sin and death" {ix.j 
absence of truth) , which is that law which we know 
with our objective, carnal, mortal minds. ^ Why 
God, being Good and Altogether Good, should 
have allowed such a thing to happen, I do not 
know, but I do know, in spite of the false testimony 
of that mind which seems to perceive evil, that He 
is All, and is Altogether Good, that therefore evil 
cannot have reality, and where necessary, in order 

^ See previous remarks about Mr. Holt and his book. 

2 Read for yourself any of the stories of battle in the Old Tes- 
tament and see if you cannot by searching find an underlying 
meaning behind the mere relation of facts. 



i8o Christian Science 

to preserve knowledge of Him, we should deny the 
testimony of the senses. 

The *'Law of sin and death'* is the law which 
comprises all of man's false wisdom which is 
** foolishness with God/' and includes all that 
appears to be of evil (germs, death, etc.,). 

"But God so loved the world that he gave his 
only begotten son [the spirit of Christ in each man's 
heart — the subjective mind] that whosoever be- 
lieveth in him [the divine within himself and its 
law which is the law of God] should not perish but 
have everlasting life" (Bible), now in conscious- 
ness.'^ The law of the spirit of life in Christ 
Jesus HATH set me free from the law of sin and 
death. 

If there is anything in the Bible which is plain 
to me, it is the fact that it speaks of life and its 
conditions as states of consciousness. Jesus says 
''the Kingdom of Heaven is within you," i.e., a 
state of consciousness (not a place), obtainable 
now, otherwise how could Jesus have truthfully 
admonished, ''Be ye therefore perfect," "he that 
believeth in me hath eternal life"? But there 
is another thing that seems plain to me in the 
Bible and that is that the word "believe" as 
used therein has been vitally misconstrued. A 
hint of what seems to me the true meaning is 
contained in the statement of Jesus "if ye abide 
in me and my words abide in you, ye shall ask 
what ye will and it shall be done unto you. " In 

* See paragraph 3, page 64. 



Christ and Meaning of Life i8i 

other words, beKef does not mean just intellectual 
assent but could better be translated "be-living'* 
your life to-day with full consciousness centered in 
the mind which is in Christ and with that mind 
alone, leaving behind you all perception of matter 
(a false sense of God and man) which is the tmtruth 
of the carnal mind and the sum of evil, neither of 
which exist in God's plan. In this sense is it not 
strictly true that Whosoever ^'be-living^^ in him {i.e.j 
that consciousness of the mind of Christ which is 
himself) shall not perish (i,e., be temporarily lost to 
consciousness of Spirit like Cain in the absorption 
of material perceptions) but have, to-day, everlast- 
ing life (consciousness of continuous existence) ? 
And if you did ** abide in him'' {i,e,, live only with 
the spiritual mind) in this sense, could you ask 
anjrthing wrong and is there anything you could 
not do? — apparently the Bible teaches not: *'by 
faith you can remove mountains." You would 
have then no consciousness of them as they now 
seem to you. 

I wish to put myself on record as knowing with 
absolute conviction for myself, that when Jesus 
says, *'he that believeth [ix,, ^^be-living,^ with the 
mind of Christ and that mind only] on me, the 
things that I do shall he do also," he means 
just precisely what he says as he did in all that he 
said and demonstrated, for what he means to me, 
in that sentence, is that there is another mind 
which mind is not the mind which I know with my 
** physical" senses, and he also means that there is 



1 82 Christian Science 

another law which is not the law which I know 
with my ''physical" senses, but which is the law 
of God and not the so-called law of mortal many 
and he means that if I could live with that mind 
alone, I would become subject to its law alone and 
could do every one of the things which he tells me 
I can, for material things and their laws to me 
would not exist because my consciousness would 
be above them, and I could, as he did, where faith 
allowed, raise the consciousness of others to the 
same plane and thus overcome the laws of carnal 
mind. I would be living in true not in a false 
mentality (psychic influences) in harmony with 
true law and not receiving *' material' ' impacts 
now perceived because of my own inharmonious 
condition. 

But I know further that Jesus has said that ''it 
is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a 
needle than for a rich man [ix., a man rich in the 
perception of material things, loving darkness 
rather than the light] to enter into the Kingdom of 
Heaven [ix,, that state of consciousness which I 
have just been describing].'' However, I know 
that it is possible for us to get a consciousness of 
truth to-day, because Jesus says it is, and I do not 
(bearing in mind that my life is continuous from 
its source, eternal Life, God) believe that I have 
had a long time to tangle up my fish line but that 
I can begin at once to rise gradually into that 
consciousness which is my birthright, sold for a 
mess of pottage (material perception). I must 



Christ and^Meaning of Life 183 

exercise, for a time, that faith which is the sub- 
stance of things hoped for (after I have used my 
reason to its limit), in the direction of spiritual 
things. I must lay up for myself treasures in 
heaven {i.e., that consciousness which is the 
kingdom of heaven) for where my treasure is (my 
most vital consciousness and mind) there will my 
heart be also. Bear in mind Jesus says that by 
some process of change in consciousness not 
known to me the beginning of transformation is 
possible now. 

Now I must interrupt this train of thought here, 
in order to say a few things to those people who are 
fearing that this idea of Christ if adopted would 
destroy their old faith in Jesus. What I wish to 
say is this, — by all means, if you desire, go on 
believing just as you have. I cannot see that 
there is anything in what I have said which con- 
tradicts any spiritual understanding of Jesus. 
What now seems more important to me however 
is that through Jesus first and primarily, and also 
secondarily through many inspired men and 
women, one of the most spiritual among whom is 
Mary Baker Eddy, every man can know of the 
''Mind which was in Christ,'' which is now at 
least the mind which exists in every man, the 
spiritual, subjective mind which God gave to man 
because He so loved the world that He gave a 
consciousness and possible knowledge of that 
only begotten son to reside in each maji's heart, 
that whosoever believeth in him (lives in the 



184 Christian Science 

spiritual mind alone) should not perish but have 
everiasting life in consciousness now. And this is 
the important thing to me. What Jesus did to, and 
with, his bodily presence and what it meant is im- 
portant, but not so important as what he has accom- 
plished in the spiritual consciousness of the world 
(spiritual meaning of the Bible). So I say to my 
good friends who fear that they may offend the 
conception of Christ around which their lives have 
been built, ''I would not change your beliefs, for 
you and I will finally find our true selves and our 
lives hid with Christ in God. You confine the 
words 'only begotten son' to one bodily presence, 
but give its effects to all men through the love of 
Christ and the Christ life, while I construe the 
words as meaning the direct birth into man's 
consciousness y of the Christ Mind,^ a knowledge of 
which comes through Christ Jesus. And where 
then in the results is the difference between us? 
And is it not the results that count?'' 

Again I cannot believe myself that mankind 
is saved by some mysterious process proceeding 
from the death of Jesus. To me his death typifies 
the crucification (z.^., reduction to a sense of 
nothingness in consciousness) of the carnal mind 
(the body) and the carnal so-called law. It seems 
to me that the story of his temptation in the 
wilderness simply indicates that in order that he 
might be * 'tempted like as we are *' he was equipped 

' And by this I do not mean separate contained mind ; see again 
page 64, paragraph 3. 



Christ and Meaning of Life 185 

with the consciousness of carnal mind; that the 
tempter was simply and only that false conscious- 
ness and the struggle one between his spiritual 
sense (the mind which was in Christ Jesus) and 
his carnal, objective so-called mind, responding 
to false sense (inertia) from human lack of knowl- 
edge. How else account for that place in the Bible 
where it says, ''When a man is tempted he is led 
away of his own lust and deceived,'' and for the 
other place previously referred to where the devil 
is spoken of as a lie? 

But what of those people who do believe that 
in some mysterious manner Jesus' death saved 
them ? What do they mean in sober fact ? They 
certainly recognize that the Bible says that you 
shall be judged by your thoughts, and under 
that term I include actions [(i.e., your progress 
toward perfection) for what otherwise does Jesus 
mean when he says that ''whosoever looketh on 
a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery 
with her already jn his heart"? Is not the mys- 
terious something simply a knowledge of the life 
of Jesus and a love for him and the Christ which 
enables one to live in the mind which is in Christ 
Jesus and in that mind alone ? The reflection of 
the One Mind — both individual and universal 
consciousness. 

Now, truly, isn't that just exactly what the 
belief is when it comes to analysis, and where then 
is the difference in result between my way of 
stating the belief and theirs? They believe that 



1 86 Christian Science 

Jesus died and that in some mysterious way 
thereby he saved us, and what they mean is, 
that a knowledge and love of his life (spiritual in- 
fluences being all of life) saves us, by enabling us to 
live rightly and teaching us how, and this does not 
mean a long series of lifetimes necessarily, for I 
am convinced that the Bible teaches that through 
some process unknown as yet consciousness can 
be otherwise raised than through experience. 
Perchance this is the ''mysterious*' process, and 
frankly I do not know what it is, except that I do 
know that faith in the Christ mind is the way to 
it, and I know further that this way of stating 
belief makes it easier to understand. 

I strongly suspect that the second coming of 
Christ Jesus, while it may mean his spiritual 
bodily presence, will also mean the awakening of 
men to full consciousness that they are divine in 
truth in the One Mind. I believe that Jesus died 
and lived to typify that which every man must 
sooner or later meet and overcome within himself, 
and that thereby he saved us. Same result; why 
quarrel about a technicality? 

And right here let me quote something that may 
be brought to my attention later. **The chastise- 
ment of our sins was upon him and by his stripes 
we are healed. '' Then let me put my interpreta- 
tion upon it. ''The knowledge of suffering 
brought by the kind of sin we live under [a sense 
of matter] was upon him, and by the same kind 
of stripes [suffering] which he endured, we are 



Christ and Meaning of Life 187 

healed [turned back to God]. '' Can you think of 
any chastisement worse to one who had conscious- 
ness of the truth than the indifference of the world 
toward that truth ? Let me also say that it seems 
•to me that wherever the Bible speaks of the de- 
struction of a sinner, you can understand the de- 
struction, through the knowledge of truth, of a 
sense of sin and matter, and the merging of the 
false consciousness of having a carnal mind into 
the mind of Christ, for then the one sinner and the 
one sin are destroyed, because there is no conscious- 
ness of them. A sense of sin pertains to the Adam 
man; when the Bible speaks of men as ''Sons of 
God,'' it, I think, does not refer to the man we 
know with the material senses but to man in 
Christ's likeness. Read your Bible again with this 
thought in mind and see if you do not agree with 
me. 

I think I can understand some little of the suffer- 
ing of Jesus. The real Golgotha was not at the 
cross, but in the daily life, in every moment of the 
life of the Master. The failure to understand his 
message, by those he loved with a perfect love, 
the lack of comprehension of the fact that between 
carnal law and spiritual truth there exists, even 
though intertwined, a chasm as wide as the eternal 
seas — so wide that one shore must be left behind 
even in thought before the other one can be 
reached — so vast that the one must be completely 
abandoned before the other can fully heal — these 
were the real stripes which he suffered for us. 



i88 



Christian Science 



''Having eyes to see they see not. Having ears to 
hear, they hear not, neither do they comprehend, " 
was the cry of a soul in crucifixion for himself and 
others ; in mental pain keener than all the physical 
suffering since the world began. This was the real 
crucifixion. 

One who has seen but a little of the truth knows 
a little of this suffering. Human love, undirected 
by spiritual truth, creates the tragedies it would 
avert, and through unwise sympathy fosters and 
perpetuates the sins of belief, which it would de- 
stroy. If we knew the full truth, I wonder if we 
would not find that many whose powers and useful- 
ness fade to a lingering death were helped on the 
downward way by those who truly but unwisely 
love them. The pitiful efforts to compromise with 
truth, in order to retain a portion of accustomed 
untruth, to dissolve the insoluble, to mix that 
which has less of affinity than oil and water, to 
serve God and Mammon with the same breath- 
all with what seems sincerity of purpose and 
honesty of desire — ^is not this tragedy enough for 
any crucifixion ? And if those who see but little of 
the truth can comprehend a little of such suffering 
— what must it have been to one who knew all of 
that truth, which, if we could but see, hear, and 
understand, would make us free ? 

Now, let us see just what this conception of life 
means to you and to me. Here we are equipped 
with the false consciousness of having carnal mind 
(false mind) and the Mind of Christ (i.e., conscious- 



Christ and Meaning of Life 189 

ness not now fully active of the one Mind without 
separation, individual and universal conscious- 
ness). Neither one perceives the things perceived 
by the other. ^ Go through your Bible again 
and pick out the places where the faith which is 
the ''substance of things hoped for" is spoken of, 
and the places where it speaks of ''sowing to. the 
flesh corruption, and of the Spirit, incorruption, '* 
and the places where it specifically states that 
corruption and incorruption have nothing to do 
with each other — doesn't it seem possible to you 
that our original statement may after all be true, 
i,e,, that we are placed here between truth and a 
seeming non-truth, something which while it 
appears to otir carnal minds to be truth, is in 
reality nothing but a negative something which 
our senses deceive us into believing to be real. 
May it not further be true that this negative sense 
(carnal mind) in opposition to God's law is the 
sum of our difficulties? And may it not also be 
true that the only way we can progress toward true 
contentment is by the exercise of that faith "which 
is the substance of things hoped for,'' in the direc- 
tion of the Mind which is in Christ, to the end that 
by gradual demonstration of the effects of that 
faith in that Mind we may finally come into the 
full consciousness which was in Christ Jesus and 
leave behind us the consciousness {i.e., merge in 
true consciousness) of something which really 

^ See again Mr. Huxley and inferences drawn from his state- 
ments. 



190 Christian Science 

does not exist except in our false belief? Remem- 
bering however that Jesus says there is a way 
whereby the change can be made at once, let us 
find it. 

May it not be true that just as you cannot live 
now under water, so you cannot really live in the 
consciousness of untruth? If not, what does the 
Bible mean when it says, ''Ye are dead in tres- 
passes and sin [a knowledge of material things], 
loving the darkness rather than the light''? May 
it not again also be true that when the Bible 
speaks of ''raising the dead'* it means raising you 
to the consciousness of the Mind which was in 
Christ Jesus? Does this give you new light on the 
passage in the Bible which says, "The soul [false 
sense] that sinneth, it shall die" [i,e,, get into this 
dream state 'which is death in trespasses and sins.] 

Also may it not be true that being a child of the 
light, you suffer, as long as you are in the darkness, 
and love it, and only that long and in proportion 
to your love of it ? There is no punishment, in the 
sense of retribution, but merely suffering as long 
as we abide in the consciousness of darkness 
(evil and matter), because we cannot really live 
in that sort of an atmosphere. Also a complete 
leaving behind of suffering and punishment, when 
we rise to the consciousness which was in Christ 
Jesus (and live in spiritual mind alone). May 
you not become a complete new man ("put on the 
new man'' — Bible) when you have in you the 
Mind which was in Christ as a fact in conscious- 



Christ and Meaning of Life 191 

ness? Becoming subject to the law of that Mind, 
are we not freed from the ''law of sin and death" 
which is the law of the carnal mind {ix,, the man- 
made law which is not the law of God) ? 

You will not see this until you are* willing to try 
and see (Bible) with faith, for I truly believe that 
this is the only way by which one can come into 
that state of consciousness called the Kingdom of 
Heaven (faith in the Christ Miad though it be 
unseen), and I also truly believe that all of the 
things which Jesus tells us, to the very smallest 
detail, are true when we know the law of the Mind 
of Christ and cease to be subject to the ''law of sin 
and death. '' Possibly also faith will unfold under- 
standing and cause the change much more quickly 
than now seems possible to us, if we really rely on 
and try it. May it not be that this is a hint as to 
w^hy Jesus says it is a "present possibility'' for all? 

"Yes," you say, "but this is a long way off; 
what can I do as a beginning, and a practical 
beginning in my life?" Well, perhaps it isn't so 
far off as you think if, according to Scripture, 
"In him we live and move and have our being. " 
If there be another law which we cannot know with 
our mortal sense (carnal mind) all that is needed 
is a waking of our spiritual perceptions by means 
of faith in the unseen, to bring that new law (the 
law of the Spirit of life — Bible) into effect. How- 
ever, granting that our fish lines (beliefs) are so 
badly tangled that we cannot untangle them by 
any method at once, what is there that is practical 



192 Christian Science 

in this doctrine outside of the cure of disease, and 
as a means toward growth in the right direction ? 

And right here let me say one thing. This new 
conception of things does one thing which is a 
great blessing. You no longer need think of your- 
self, as being pursued by a relentless something 
which always seeks to pull you down. You have 
to fight nothing. Literally nothing, but your 
own false senses (not mind) and what you thought 
you fought is not power when your Christ Mind 
has conquered and in reality is never power, only a 
seeming power, the seeming perception of which is 
due to the inertness of mortal mind when it con- 
tacts true spiritual law and energy. ''Twice have 
I heard this, that power belongeth to God" (and 
His ideas). The devil resolves himself into your 
carnal really negative (non-existent) mind, which, 
in conjunction with the ''law of sin and death" 
{i.e.y with universal mortal mind or the not thought, 
false mental influence), is simply the "darkness 
which we have loved more than the light." All 
you have to do is pull up the shades, destroy false 
sense by stimulating your inert powers to dynamic 
harmony with God's law. Your progress ceases 
to be a fight against something, and becomes a 
struggle to acquire that truth which is the law of the 
Spirit of Christ Jesus. If not, what does the Bible 
mean when it says, "resist not evil, but overcome 
evil with good," and "resist the devil [evil 
thought] and he will flee from you" [i.e., inert- 
ness disappear before the stimuli of spirit]. The 



Christ and Meaning of Life 193 

consciousness of the nothingness of evil comes 
when we have destroyed evil in our consciousness 
by developing dynamic harmony of power with 
God "^^ictory over evil, by the substitution of real 
power for its inertness, frees the mind of the dread- 
ful fear of a suppositional power which is so strong 
that God cannot control it. This is enough to fill 
any man's life with a new joy, if he can but grasp 
it. ' ' Ye shall know the truth and the truth [not the 
operation of some material thought or thing, but 
the consciousness of the truth] shall make you 
free/' I know someone is going to say here, that 
these accumulated opinions seem to have a good 
deal of power, and that there therefore is^ even 
from this viewpoint, something to fight. The 
fact that there is not is one of the things no one 
can tell you. You must prove it as Jesus did in 
his struggle of the human with the divine and 
you can only realize this in demonstration. Try 
* ' not resisting evil ' ' but filling your mind with goo d 
thoughts, until they destroy the belief in evil by 
substituting spiritual power for inert nothingness : 
then come to me and see if you do not agree that 
evil (including inharmonious health ideas) has no 
power except that which you give it by the exer- 
cise of your own carnal mind, i.e.j your own mind 
turning itself to universal false opinion. Do not 
think of evil as something to fight or something 
that fights, think of it as an inert uninstructed 
state of consciousness for which you need to sub- 
stitute the truth which will make you free. Fill the 
^3 



194 Christian Science 

empty room with God's Hght and truth. Remem- 
ber ''If God be for us who can be against us*' — 
and by the way, is there not a hint in this quota- 
tion as to the nature of God? If God be All, who 
is there left who can be against us if He be for us? 
Try Him and see. Does ''externar' evil [false 
mental (psychical) influence] ''not mind, '' have any 
power, unless something within responds? Even 
though you cannot overcome at once your sense of 
matter and separation from God you can avoid 
many of its effects. 

Now I am not talking of some Utopian doctrine 
impossible of accomplishment, at once. Some of 
the things spoken of may be difficult, for if, as the 
Bible says, those who "sow to the flesh corruption' 
shall reap corruption," I suppose in this dream 
life of ours, we have had time to sow and may have 
a good deal to reap. Bear this in mind however — 
the reaping spoken of here does not seem to me to 
mean the dreary thing we have come to think it 
in the "law of sin and death'' — punishment for 
every little act through the law of nature, which is 
not God's law, for the law of the spirit of Jesus 
Christ can set us free from that carnal law. Jesus 
says so, therefore, though I may not be able to 
prove this now, yet I believe it. 

All that it means is, that so long as we remain in 
the consciousness of sin, we will suffer, because we 

^ Doesn't that quotation sound a good deal like using this faith 
which is the substance of things hoped for in the direction of 
material things? 



Christ and Meaning of Life 195 

are out of our natural habitation. When we 
correct our false beliefs and live in the mind of 
Christ (a process that must be quicker than I 
now see, since Jesus says it is), we rise above the 
consciousness of the carnal law and in a very real 
sense the law of the spirit of Jesus Christ does set 
us free from that law. I do not attempt to say in 
what surroundings our lives have been continuous, 
but I feel sure that they must have been, because 
my idea of God makes that a necessity and because 
God has always existed and man, the Christ man, 
is His work or idea and is the only man. It may 
not be possible for us to entirely live in the mind 
of Christ at once. The path to knowledge is not 
easy — though if we believe Jesus, we must believe 
that it is forever a present possibility. There is 
always however a starting point. Our starting 
point is probably a long way back of us, and we are 
just coming to see through the glass darkly the real 
meaning of our journey. As we do see more 
clearly, we should take the necessary steps in the 
right direction, and it seems to me that the things 
we have been talking about present a very strong 
hint of what those steps may practically be to you 
and me to-day. 

*'What are they then," you ask? Well, first of 
all, any man can demonstrate to himself that 
health can be controlled through controlling and 
destroying the fears of the carnal mind by the 
concentration and reflection of the spiritual mind. 
If you will use half an hour every day quietly 



196 Christian Science 

sitting in your chair thinking of Bible texts and 
of these things of which we are now writing and 
applying them to your own discomforts, you will 
find for yourself that this is true, for both con- 
scious and unconscious thought will gradually be 
directed into normal channels. Even the physi- 
cian, as I have previously stated, asserts from the 
standpoint of the carnal law that mind processes 
affect the secretions of the body, and I never hear 
that said but I think of the blind man whom Jesus 
cured who, when asked how it was done and all 
about it, replied, *'this one thing I know — that 
whereas I was blind, now I see''; that fact alone 
seemed quite sufficient for him without speculating 
as to the exact process, but I suspect that the medi- 
cal profession will eventually find that these benevo- 
lent ''secretions'' rightly viewed through spiritual 
sense are simply manifestations of the action of the 
Mind which is in Christ Jesus awakening (remember 
what the Bible says, ''awake thou that sleepest" — 
look it up) and stimulating the carnal mind to more 
healthy action; the carnal mind and the so-called 
body being the same^ — nothing — no mind. 

'A clipping from the Minneapolis Tribune in this regard is 
interesting: 

''HATE ALLOWED TO GROW 

Ella Wheeler Wilcox Shows 

Poisons the Human Body 

Emotions Affect Every Cell in Man's System, and We Are Men* 
tally, Morally, and Physically What Our Thoughts Make Us, 



Christ and Meaning of Life 197 

Then, secondly, any man can demonstrate to 
his own satisfaction in the same way as above, 
that he is part of a second mind which knows 
things — we have been accustomed to call this 
''intuition'' — and in many, through disuse, the 

** I have noticed for years that a person who habitually indulges 
in hate almost invariably loses health, and also because I have a 
concrete example in a friend who for years has been an habitual, 
persistent hater, and who beHeved that hate is as warrantable in 
certain cases as love. 

"This person, a woman, has been'told many times that hate is 
an actual poison, but she has flouted the statement as a mere 
theory, and has vindictively replied, *I shall hate all I want 
to/ 

"She is now in the sere and yellow leaf, and that which should 
accompany old age, as honor, love, obedience, troops of friends, 
she does not have. She is a victim of constant hallucinations, a 
confirmed hypochondriac, frequently exclaiming, *0h, I feel 
that my body is full of poison.* 

"And so it is; the poison of hate. Her indulgence for so many 
years in hating people whom she didn't happen to like has actually 
poisoned her.'* 

WE ARE WHAT OUR THOUGHTS MAKE US. 

"The writer of the above letter is a man in the prime of life, 
who has seen much of the world and has made a careful study of 
humanity. Whether or not he has identified himself with meta- 
physical organizations or studies, I do not know, but he is cer- 
tainly in touch with that philosophy. 

"Dr. Elmer Gates, the renowned scientist, experimented with 
people who were given to gloom, anger, and violence, and found 
that a virulent poison could be extracted from a glass tube in 
which an individual of this type breathed. 

" Our thoughts produce our emotions; our emotions affect every 
cell in the body and every emanation. We are physically, men- 
tally, morally what our thoughts make us." 

(Reprinted with the permission of the owners of the copyright, 
the International News Service.) 



198 Christian Science 

faculty is latent, or misunderstood, but it is there, 
a part of you — the Mind which is in Christ Jesus — 
the Divine One Mind — all you have to do is to 
** knock and it shall be opened unto you, seek and 
ye shall find. '' I mean by this that you can get 
accurate information to guide your life, and can 
demonstrate to yourself that this is so, if you will 
follow consistently the practice of silent com- 
munion with God as a daily habit, and will follow 
what He tells you through the medium of the 
spiritual Mind. There is but one Mind and life is 
mental — is my understanding. All true existence 
is of that Mind. 

To those who have never tried and therefore 
cannot speak from demonstration, this may seem 
again rather impractical — very well, if you cannot 
see these steps, what else practical remains? Let 
us recapitulate even though we seem to be repeat- 
ing the same things over often. According to this 
doctrine, your material body in common with 
everything else material, not excluding the laws 
of matter and your sense of having a mind separate 
from the One Mind, is a belief, a concept of carnal 
mind (carnal mind itself dreams, it does not exist 
as a reality). Therefore, the totality of your real 
existence is the true One Mind and its ideas. 
Through the lack of use of the faith which is the 
substance of things hoped for in the direction of 
Spirit, however, you have (why, we cannot say) a 
false sense of another mind which seems to perceive 
things not in truth existent, though they have been 



I 



Christ and Meaning of Life 199 

injected into a plan of things which is true in such 
a way that it is not possible always for the false 
or carnal mind to disentangle the true from the 
false. For instance, I go to the theater, and hear a 
beautiful voice singing a beautiful song to which 
obscene words have been added. If I could per- 
ceive the voice and the music only, there would be 
no evil in the song for me, but its message would be 
uplifting. What I am saying is that your life is 
one of false non-existent and true ideas, and in this 
continuous existence of yours, you have so long 
been failing to use your faith in the direction of the 
true that the untrue (absence of something, dark- 
ness) seems more real to you than the true. 

True thought is life, and lays up treasure where 
there is no corruption. Untrue thought is death, 
and the only real death we can ever know is that 
which we are now experiencing (passing through 
the ''valley of the shadow of death'') — ^ye are dead 
in trespasses and sins, i, e,, false consciousness 
or matter. If that faith which is the ''substance 
of things hoped for'' is not exercised against 
this one lays up treasure where moth and rust do 
corrupt. Therefore, if you would find something 
practical to do in addition to what I have named, 
realize that "as a man thinketh so he is, " not in 
the sense of producing some effect on matter, but 
in the sense that mind is all and that life is ideas. 
Let us go back to one of our original definitions — 
i.e., that nothing negative (matter is negative) has 
existence in the mind of God and that therefore, 



200 



Christian Science 



God being All, negative things have no existence 
except as false concepts in an unreal mind, a 
dream. Then mortal life becomes a struggle toward 
truth, and away from the concepts of a false mind 
which appears to perceive negative things but 
which has no power to hold you back except such 
seeming power as you have yourself and such as 
all mankind have given it by the exercise of faith 
in the wrong direction. (Yes, I know, there is a 
conflict here, you will say, for how could that 
which is perfect exercise its faith wrongly ? — and I 
have also told you that I stick to my definition be- 
cause to not do so is to deny my conception of God.) 
What remains practical that can be done then? 

The other day I had a letter from a firm in 
Chicago. The letter began as follows : 

Dear Sir: 

Pick out and get rid of : Pick up and make use of : 



the loafers 
the laggers 
the filchers 
the wasters 
the knockers 
the inefficients 
the agitators 
the trouble breeders of 
all sorts 



the hustlers 
the pushers 
the honest 
the careful 
the loyal 
the peaceful 
the efficient workers 
dividend makers 



and 



Weed out the disruptive, destructive elements of 
your working force. Cultivate the harmonizing, 
profit-building elements. 



Christ and Meaning of Life 201 



Now I am morally certain that between me and 
the man that wrote this letter there exists a tele- 
pathic line of communication, for when I sat down 
to write this book, I had just such a table in mind 
(before I received the letter). The letter is a fine 
Christian Science sermon (though Christian Scien- 
tists, as you know, have no sermons) and I cannot 
improve it except to say: 

Dear Sir or Madaivi : 

Realize that your life is mind, and the struggle 
toward truth, with no power retarding you save what 
we may call your ** spiritual inertia,'' i.e., mortal 
mind (negativeness, not mind). 

Go into yourself and Go into yourself and 
deny admission into yotu: afifirm in your conscious- 
consciousness to : ness as the only realities : 

the mind that is in Christ 
the reality of Spirit as the 

only reality 
the hustling thought 
the pushing thought 
the honest thought 
the careful thought 
the loyal thought to God 

and man. 
the efficient thought 
the peaceful thought, for 
God is harmony and 
** great peace have they 
that love the Lord and 
nothing shall offend them " 
(Bible) 



the objective mind 
the reality of matter 
the loafing thought 
the lagging thought 
the filching thought 
the wasting thought 
the knocking thought 
the inefficient thought 
the trouble-breeding 
thoughts of all sorts in- 
cluding worry 
for God cares for his 
children 



202 Christian Science 

Wipe out the negative elements of your thoughts. 
Cultivate the harmonizing elements. 

This is a thing that sinks down into the root of 
your being, and follows you every moment of the 
day and the night. If you think an untrue critical 
thought of another (''judge not that ye be not 
judged'* — Bible), you strengthen your own belief 
in the negative unreal things of life, and you send 
forth a ''not thought'' into the world which im- 
pedes or inertly drags on others, for another thing 
that can be demonstrated is that thoughts are 
things, and do not need the vehicle of speech in 
order to be conveyed to others. That is what an 
"absent" treatment means — a message through 
the One Mind to raise your consciousness. Re- 
member life is psychical influence, review Mr. 
Holt's remarks again if forgotten. If you think 
a helpful thought toward another, you are build- 
ing your belief in spiritual things, the positive 
side of life, you are exercising the faith which is 
the substance of things hoped for in the direction 
of truth and not of falsity. You are helping both 
yourself and others and constant faithful endeavor 
in this direction with prayerful study of the words 
of Jesus will bring you where you will see and can 
demonstrate many of the things of which we have 
been speaking, but which may now seem unreal to 
you. 

Let me see if I can give you an illustration. A 
few weeks ago some friends of mine were camping 



Christ and Meaning of Life 203 

in Northern Minnesota, and were about ready to 
break camp to go to another place. One of them 
had to go into the forest for a time to get some 
things left behind the day before. He said to the 
man who does the camp work, *'Meet us at the 
bridge in an hour with the boats all packed. " His 
reply was, ' ' I can't do it. There isn't time. *' My 
friend thought that he could do what he had asked 
in the time mentioned, and he thought the man 
could also. His mind began to run on thoughts 
like these: *'He is inefficient, slow, unambitious, 
lazy. '' These are negative thoughts, you see, and 
in a few minutes he had worked himself into a fine 
state of disgust, irritation, etc., thoughts of the 
mortal mind. But along came something else 
which said, *'This is no way to do, you are injuring 
yourself, and defeating your own ends. The man 
can do that if he only thinks so. '' He gave himself 
to this thought, ''Overcoming evil with good,'' 
and all he said to the man was, ''Oh, I think you 
can if you hustle." His own mind became quiet 
and the man was there on time. 

Now this is just a crude illustration, and you 
will have to exercise the quality of faith to under- 
stand that the thought had an effect, at least you 
will until you have demonstrated that fact many 
times, as you can if you try. I am giving the illus- 
tration to you, to help you see that to me this is a 
thing which comes into every relation of life as a 
vitality, every moment of the day. 

But you say, "You are telling us nothing new. 



204 Christian Science 

We have always known that we ought to weed out 
the inefficients from our business/* Please mark 
— I did not say inefficients. I said inefficient 
thoughts — ^for undoubtedly by your thought of a 
man, including yourself, expressed or unexpressed, 
you help him to be just that which you think him. 
What you have always known is like this but not 
just like it. Mankind, as I have elsewhere stated 
it as my belief, has always been on the way back to 
God. If we came from Him originall5% I cannot but 
believe that He wiU reclaim to Himself eventually 
all that He gave. In other words, I don't believe 
in eternal punishment. That which seems eternal 
to the finite mind may not be so to infinite Mind 
and it seems to me that the Bible indicates that all 
that will be burned in the lake of fire (fire of spirit) 
is mankind's false beliefs and false ideas. So we 
have all been on our way back to a knowledge of 
our Heavenly Father which is eternal Life, or a 
consciousness of eternal Life, and many of the 
things we have been doing, and saying, are just 
what we should do and say — but don't you think 
the time may have come when we can get a 
clearer view of the reason for it all and may it 
not be that having that clearer view we can ex- 
pand that which we have been doing and do it 
more intelligently, because we realize where it is 
taking us, and in a measure, how? While we may 
have been always eliminating the inefficient, does 
it not illuminate our action in doing so to know that 
all is Mind and Mind's ideas, and that we should 



Christ and Meaning of Life 205 

start our elimination at the root of things, and 
eliminate at the source the unreal thoughts which 
when projected into false ideas of the absence of 
Good become what we have been accustomed to 
think of as the reality, when it was only the dream ? 
This conception of life is not a radical departure 
from present conditions. If you overeat you will 
suffer, but under the processes described you must 
think of your sufferings as proceeding from a 
mental, though not an intelligent cause ^ — not 
from a material cause. The new belief makes a 
vast change in your thinking, for it reveals all real 
thought as a reflection of the Divine and ascribes 
power to Him alone ; avast improvement in the way 
in which life affects you; it destroys as much of 
false psychic inertia (carnal law) as can be made 
to come within your comprehension of true law. 
It forever removes the fear of an aggressive some- 
thing having power which seeks to pull you down 
— ^but the influences around you remain the same 
till they have been changed by the gradual uplift- 
ing of your own and of the thoughts of all men. 
Your response to these influences changes — and 
they are plainly seen to be not material influences 
but mental inertias to be overcome by mental 
means as fast as yon can obtain the knowledge to do it. 
Further this belief presents the hope that since 
life is a succession of states of consciousness, 
there is a way — as Jesus indicates there is — by 

^ Lack of control throwing you open to the negative inertia of 
the carnal law excess — not God. 



2o6 Christian Science 

which consciousness can be raised much more 
speedily than by the long way of experience. 
Don*t say this cannot be true because it has never 
been. Ask yourself, ''Of how much of mortal 
man's total history on earth have I knowledge?" 
Not more than a few thousand out of possible 
millions of years. 

Suppose I give you another illustration. Your 
type of mind may not be just that to be outlined 
but I find there are many I have talked with whose 
minds work in the same manner. Let us suppose 
that you have a sense of pain and you commence 
to think about it. Your mind concentrates on it. 
You wonder why it is; how it comes about; what 
is the material cause of it; what you can do with 
medicine to make it better. You can in the 
course of a very few hours work yourself into a 
belief that you are on the way to permanent in- 
validism. When you are going through these 
mind processes I have just described, you are 
thinking negative thought. 

Suppose the next time this occurs to you, instead 
of turning your mind towards the pain, saying to 
yourself, ''This pain has reality, and there must be 
a material cause for it,'' you take the opposite 
tack. Think that the pain can have no existence 
because matter cannot feel. That it proceeds 
from uncontrolled mind processes. See Mr. 
Huxley again. Distract your mind from it as 
much as possible and instead of trying to analyze 
it and hypothesize a possible reason for it, treat it 



Christ and Meaning of Life 207 

so far as you can as non-existent. Then, in place 
of the thought which you have partially destroyed, 
fill your mind full of the thought that **God is the 
only Reality''; that matter and pain do not exist 
except as a concept of false mind (which it is 
granted may seem to be a very real concept). I 
say try this, even if it does seem foolish to you, 
that is, think positive thoughts with the spiritual 
mind, and see what the result is. You may not 
see any very striking results at first, but continue 
to try it and see what conclusion you finally reach. 
I do not state what I think it will be. I would like 
to see you try and make an example for yourself. 

You can at least take a long step in the right 
direction by ceasing to think to yourself or talk to 
others about what this feeling or that feeling, this 
symptom or that symptom, this ache or that ache 
signifies. Also it would be a long step in the right 
direction to cease to think and talk about what 
Doctor so and so said about these things, and to 
induce the good doctor to do the same. Remember 
''psychic influences. '' 

Again, suppose you are approaching some work 
that you wish to do, and the thought comes into 
your mind, **It is too much for me. I fear that 
I cannot accomplish it. My strength will not be 
equal to the task.** You can very readily create 
within yourself the idea that you are inefficient, 
unable to do that which other men do, and that 
you are foredoomed to failure. In other words, 
you can create the impression within your mind 



2o8 Christian Science 

that it is not possible for you to give expression to 
the ideas of God or to create things. You are 
thinking negative thoughts; the thoughts of a 
carnal mind; the thoughts of the *'law of sin and 
death. '' Suppose that the next time this happens 
to you, you take the opposite tack and say, *'I am 
an idea of God. The power which is His, is mine. 
I can express His ideas because that was what He 
created me for. I have the power and am an idea 
of the Universal Mind.'' ''The eternal God is my 
refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." 
By thinking in this way, you are using the powers 
of the subjective mind; of the mind which is in 
Christ, the One Mind, and are correcting the false 
impression which arises from the material senses. 
You are striving toward a realization that there 
is but One Mind, from which you are not separate. 
I suggest again only that you try this for your- 
self. I do not say that you will see immediate 
results, but if you try and try again I feel sure that 
you will discover something for yourself that no 
one else can tell you. You will be exercising your 
faith which can bring into substance the things 
hoped for in the direction of the things which you 
should hope for, instead of in the direction of the 
things which you had better forget, for it is my 
opinion based on my own experience that all nega- 
live thoughts of any character, including many more 
than those specifically directed against health, 
work themselves out eventually in so-called physi- 
cal conditions. Watch yourself carefully and see 



Christ and Meaning of Life 209 

if this is not true in your case. / think you will 
make some remarkable discoveries about yourself if 
you will observe closely. Refer again to the Ella 
Wheeler Wilcox article previously quoted. 

Most people who try to take these slight first 
steps, which seem unimportant, like them so well 
that they eventually conclude to go farther and 
revise their entire previous conception of life and 
its meaning, for such is the usual result of taking 
the first small steps in the direction of learning 
that truth which will eventually make us free. 

There is just one more thing I want to say, 
before I finish this chapter. Many of you will say 
*'Well, if life is continuous, why do I not re- 
member former experiences? Are you sure you 
don't remember the essentials of them {uncon- 
scious thoughts) ? It seems difficult to account for 
some things which we ignorantly call instincts 
otherwise, or to account for the differing charac- 
teristics of your children we will say — but assum- 
ing that you don't remember even the essentials, 
may it not be that this is simply a result of the 
operation of the carnal law which in the course of 
many millions of years man has made for himself, 
the law which seems to separate and divide you 
from the One Mind and which using that limited 
vehicle, human reason, says, ''If you have been a 
doctor and need experience as a Christian Science 
practitioner, you must be made to forget the details 
of your doctor experience because only thus can 
you give your full thought to the other,'' or some- 
14 



210 Christian Science 

thing equally inaccurate, such as repayment of 
each little debt contracted here. In other words, 
just as an unverifiable speculation, if you please, 
may it not be a part of the carnal so-called law, 
made by man, with which God has had nothing to 
do, and from which you will be freed by the law of 
the Spirit of Jesus Christ? A stage of conscious- 
ness imposed on you by mortal law, a conscious- 
ness of separateness from the One Mind which is 
a false consciousness, a part of the effort to un- 
tangle your fish line by the long process of pulling 
the end back through all the holes. Karma as the 
Occultists call it. Naturally I don't know that this 
is so. It is only a guess. But of this I do feel sure 
— that what I call my present life is to my total 
existence only as a drop of water in the ocean — 
and by that I do not mean to infer ultimate 
complete absorption of individuality by any 
means. ^ 

Remember that this mortal law has had a long 
time to grow. I confess I am not very greatly 
interested in how I have lived or how I am going 
to live. I mean just the precise conditions under 
which I have lived or ''my influence for good in 
other lives*' so-called. It doesn't interest me so 
long as it is a relation of a sense of separation from 
the One Mind. I have read volumes on this sub- 
ject and they don't seem to reach my consciousness 
with a real interest. I have attended materializing 
seances, and have seen phenomena which may 

'Please see page 64, paragraph 3 in this regard. 



Christ and Meaning of Life 211 

have been genuine — I don't deny the possibility — 
and for those who can obtain a conviction of the 
continuity of Ufe in no other way perhaps such 
demonstrations are helpful — but after all, it 
seems to me a continuation of the same old dreary 
round of matter. If it be possible for the mortal 
minds of those who have gone on to gather around 
themselves a clothing or illusion of matter again 
and appear to our eyes or sense of matter here — 
and I don't deny the possibility; in fact I can 
explain some things I have seemed to see on no 
other reasonable basis — ^what is it but an operation 
of the carnal law, from which I would fain be 
freed, by the law of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 
just as soon as possible? And if it teaches me that 
after I leave here, and do what is called '* dying,'* 
I go on in some kind of a body composed of 
''matter" (a consciousness of darkneso less per- 
haps than that I know now, but none the less 
darkness) is not that also a part of the operation 
of the carnal law, from which I wish to be freed? 
''The flesh profiteth nothing." If I could get 
from those who have gone on, some spiritual advice, 
truer and more reliable than that which I can get 
for myself by consulting God through the divine 
within me, I could consider such investigation 
worth pursuing, but frankly, the type of mind 
manifested through seances does not impress me 
as knowing as much as I do myself about the things 
which I wish to know. They may know something 
about the conditions in which they seem to be 



212 Christian Science 

living (though even here they don't tell much) but 
if it be a condition which is bound in consciousness 
of any kind of matter, I don't want to know about 
it, because it is that which I wish to escape and be 
freed from, by the Mind which is in Christ. 

I have heard of communications which appeared 
to be from beyond which are of the higher nature — 
such as might come from a nature which, because 
of its wider experience, could more closely under- 
stand God; indeed if you will search your Bible, 
you will find that it speaks of these; and such I 
receive gladly for without going into the argu- 
ments for and against, there does not seem to me, 
at least, to be any a priori reason why communi- 
cation is impossible for those who are in sympathy 
with spiritual thought, but if I had advice to offer 
or were asked to give it, I would most certainly 
say that the average spiritualistic seance was, 
truly viewed, only a materialistic seance; that 
(without any insinuation of deliberate fraud — 
though that is undoubtedly often a fact) the 
things seen there were just as much a delusion as 
your present consciousness of material ''life'' 
and no more so; that there was with few excep- 
tions nothing helpful to be learned; that they 
might much better be left alone, and forgotten in 
a whole-souled endeavor to apprehend spiritual 
truth only — I may say that these conclusions have 
been reached by the process of trying the thing out 
for myself, both ways. This is not saying, however, 
that there may not be some good and growth to be 



Christ and Meaning of Life 213 

derived from the proper study of mental pheno- 
mena — just as the chemist, the doctor, the business 
man, and the Christian Scientist are all on the way 
to the same destination, and will finally find the 
only road that leads to Eternal Hfe, so also are the 
psychologists and the spiritualists. I am only 
telling you that which seems to me the way Christ 
trod and the route. Perhaps you cannot see it, 
and then you will have to follow your own path- 
way; if I can I will help you with all my heart, and 
will meet you at the journey's end when we both 
reach that consciousness of God which is eternal life 
and the true home of man. 

The Occultists have a doctrine which they call 
'* Karma. '' I believe it is founded on the idea 
that if equilibrium is disturbed axiywhere in the 
Cosmos it must eventually be restored. If you 
sin you must expiate that sin, that equilibrium 
may be restored. If to-day you injure a man you 
must come back to dense material hfe at some 
future time in order to pay your debt to that man. 
This seems to me to be a very good example of 
carrying the analogies of the carnal law into a 
consideration of spiritual matters. So far as my 
reasoning mind is concerned I confess that it 
seems to me a very logical theory — it fulfills the 
demands of what my carnal mind calls *' justice'' 
but not of that which my spiritual mind knows is 
love. *'God is love. " I have no doubt that it is 
one way by which mankind can progress toward 
the goal we all are striving to reach. However, 



214 Christian Science 

let us suppose it to be a fact — would there be 
any end to such a condition? Can you conceive 
of living any lifetime without in some way creating 
debts which from this point of view would have to 
be paid ? Would equilibrium ever be restored unless 
God Himself restored it through love? If the 
Occultists would state their doctrine in a somewhat 
different way and say that man must live in his 
present consciousness of limitation till he corrects 
that in himself which leads him to injure another ^ 
I could come further into agreement with it. It 
would then be a statement that man must live as 
now, till he raises his consciousness to an under- 
standing of God — not a mere mechanical round of 
retribution — a blind principle without mercy or 
forgiveness ; but even when stated in this way — a 
way with which I can more fully agree — the doc- 
trine does not seem to me to fill the full measure of 
the Salvation provided by a loving God. It is 
only a part of the statement, for Jesus certainly 
tells me that while the method of gradual experi- 
ence is one way of raising consciousness to a 
knowledge of God, there is another way through 
belief in the Only Begotten Son, in the Christ 
Mind, by which the false consciousness which we 
have been accustomed to call ''life'' can be more 
speedily corrected and be made right. Can you 
otherwise conceive that Jesus the exponent of 
truth should have said, ''Be ye therefore perfect,'' 
''He that belie veth in me hath eternal life '' ? This 
way personally I believe to be anabsolute trust 



Christ and Meaning of Life 215 

in that faith which brings into substance the 
things hoped for, and the exercise of that faith in 
the direction of the Christ law. At the end of the 
journey I believe we will find this to have been 
fact — that there is a way by which we can gain 
understanding which is a quicker way than that of 
detailed experience — the conviction is with me 
but I do not see the way v/ith clearness enough as 
yet to give it expression in words. 

The doctrine of Karma seems to me a logical 
outcome of the idea of a God who contains both 
Good and evil within Himself, i.e., man's idea of 
God; the Lord God in the second chapter of 
Genesis, the God of the carnal law. A contradic- 
tion in terms to me, for if evil be of God and God 
eternal, evil is eternal and will always be. ^ Con- 
sequently evil would, by this idea, always be a 
part of the order of life and tmescapable. The idea 
of a God Himself evolving or less than all and all 
good — to me is no foundation for life (a house 
divided against itself, says Jesus, shall fall) but 
I have no quarrel with those who believe this. 
We are all on the same journey and in the end will 
know who is right to-day in the beliefs now held. 
God will lead us all eventually to know the truth 
and to freedom. Neither your opinions nor mine 
nor those of the Occultists will change the truth. 
You recall that the Bible says, ''not one jot or 
tittle shall pass from the law till all be fulfilled,'' but 
it also says, ''love is the fulfilling of the law." 

* See Psalm 146: 6. 



2i6 Christian Science 

Reverse the word fulfill. Read it ''filled full '* and 
''filling fuir' in these two quotations and see if you 
get a new meaning. 

"In my Father's House [the real spiritual body 
of man] are many mansions [many ways of ex- 
pressing the ideas of God]." "I go [I live] to 
prepare a place for you [I live that you may know 
how to live in the consciousness of God], that 
where I am [now in the true consciousness of God] 
there ye may be [now] also/' 

; I can only say try this way if you have not, for 
only by rising to somewhat of the consciousness of 
the unreality of matter and only by worshiping 
God alone and ceasing to worship matter in the 
person of your so-called physical body, can you 
demonstrate these things to yourself as realities 
of spirit. 

I cannot urge too strongly upon the reader the 
study of the Scripture passages which follow, for 
only thus will the book be understood. Before 
reading the passages, please refer to and read 
paragraph 2, on page 40, and the note on page 
166. 



THE TWO MINDS IN MAN 

Galatians 4: 19-31. My little children, of whom 
I travail in birth again until Christ he formed [the 
Christ mind become regnant] in you, 

I desire to be present with you now, and to change 
my voice; for I stand in doubt of you. 

Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not 
hear the law? 

For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the 
one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. 

But he who was of the bondwoman was bom after 
the flesh ; but he of the freewoman was by promise. 

Which things are an allegory: for these are the two 
covenants; the one from the Mount Sinai, which 
gendereth to bondage [carnal law and mind], which is 
Agar. 

For this Agar is Mount Sinai [from which the ten 
commandments] in Arabia, and answereth to Jeru- 
salem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. 

But Jerusalem which is above [Christ mind] is free, 
which is the mother of us all. 

For it is written. Rejoice, thou barren that bearest 
not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for 
the desolate hath many more children than she which 
hath an husband. 

Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of 
promise. 

217 



2i8 Christian Science 

But as then he that was born after the flesh perse- 
cuted [the struggle between false and true conceptions] 
him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. 

Nevertheless what saith the Scripture? Cast out 
the bondwoman and her son : for the son of the bond- 
woman shall not be heir with the son of the free- 
woman. 

So then, brethren, we are not children of the bond- 
woman, but of the free. 

Matt. 6: 24, 31-33. No man can serve two 
masters [mortal and spiritual mind] ; for either he will 
hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold 
to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve 
God and mammon. [See remarks about those who 
take an extreme though a wrong attitude.] 

Therefore take no thought, saying. What shall we 
eat? or. What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we 
be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles 
seek :) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have 
need of all these things. But seek ye first the King- 
dom of God [spiritual consciousness], and his righte- 
ousness; and all these things shall be added unto 
you [in sufficient quantity]. 

11. Cor. 11:3. But I fear, lest by any means, as 
the serpent [carnal mind] beguiled Eve through his 
subtilty, so yoiu: minds should be corrupted from the 
simplicity that is in Christ [the truth of the mind of 
Christ]. 

Jeremiah 29: 8, 11, 12, 13. For thus saith the 
Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets 
and your diviners [carnal minds], that be in the midst 
of you [each of you], deceive you, neither hearken to 
your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed [sense 
of matter]. 



I 



i 



Christ and Meaning of Life 219 

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, 
saith the Lord, thoughts of peace [the spiritual law], 
and not of evil [the carnal raind], to give you an 
expected end [death and '* eternal' ' punishment]. 

Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and 
pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye 
shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for 
me with all your heart. [Both minds; carnal mind 
redeemed.] __ 

Ephesians i: 18. The eyes of your understand- 
ing [of the true body; God's idea or body; the mind of 
Christ] being enlightened; that ye may know what is 
the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory 
of his inheritance in the saints. [The mind which was 
in Christ.] 

Ezekiel 2: 1-2. And he said unto me, Son of 
man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee. 
And the spirit [the mind of Christ] entered into me 
when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that 
I heard him that spake unto me. 

Matt. 11: 27-30. All things are delivered unto 
me of my Father ; and no man knoweth the Son [mind 
of Christ] but the Father; neither knoweth any man 
the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the 
Son [you know God through the Christ spirit within] 
will reveal him. Come unto me, all ye that labor 
and are [carnal mind] heavy laden, and I will give you 
rest [a knowledge or consciousness of spiritual law 
which is not man's law but is something entirely 
different]. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; 
for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find 
rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my 
burden is light. 

Job 22: 23. If thou return to the Almighty 



220 Christian Science 

[the Mind of Christ within you], thou shalt be built up, 
thou shalt put away iniquity [the carnal mind and 
law] far from thy tabernacles. [The whole body, God's 
idea, which "groweth together'' (Bible). ''In whom 
all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an 
holy temple in the Lord. "] 

Matt. 9: 16-17. No man putteth a piece of 
new cloth unto an old garment ; for that which is put 
in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent 
is made worse. Neither do men put new wine into 
old bottles ; else the bottles break, and the wine 
runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new 
wine into new bottles, and both are preserved. [The 
body (God's idea of it) a new bottle, preserves both 
minds of man and they become one.] 

Matt. 12 : 29-30. Or else how can one enter into 
a strong man's house [carnal mind and its idea of 
God], and spoil his goods, except he first bind the 
strong man? and then he will spoil his house. He that 
is not with me is against me ; and he that gathereth not 
with me scattereth abroad. 

Haggai 2: 6,9. For thus saith the Lord of hosts; 
Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the 
heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land. 
The glory of this latter house [Mind of Christ and 
spiritual law] shall be greater than of the former 
[carnal mind and law], saith the Lord of hosts: and 
in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of 
hosts. 

Luke 6: 45. A good man [spiritual mind] out 
of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that 
which is good ; and an evil man out of the evil treasure 
of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil ; for of the 
abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. [Faith 



Christ and Meaning of Life 221 

brings into substance the law of sin and death or the 
spiritual law according to its use.] 

John 3: 31. He that cometh from above is 
above all [spiritual mind]: he that is of the earth is 
earthly [carnal mind], and speaketh of the earth 
[carnal law]: he that cometh from heaven [spiritual 
mind] is above all. 

John 5: 19-24. Then answered Jesus and said 
unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son 
[Mind of Christ in you] can do nothing of himself, 
but what he seeth the Father do; for what things 
soever he doeth these also doeth the Son likewise. 
For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all 
things that himself doeth : and he will shew him greater 
works than these, that ye may marvel. 

For as the Father raiseth up the dead [ye are dead 
in trespasses and sins] \i.e,, a knowledge of matter] 
and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth 
whom he will. For the Father judgeth no man, but 
hath committed all judgment unto the Son [the mind 
of Christ in every man] : That all men should honor 
the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that 
honoreth not the Son [spiritual mind and its ideas] 
honoreth not the Father which hath sent him. Verily, 
verily, I say unto you. He that heareth my word, and 
believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, 
and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed 
from death [carnal law] unto life [spiritual law]. 

II. Thessalonians 2: 7-10. For the mystery of 
iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth 
will let [the carnal mind, false mind], until he be taken 
out of the way. [Absorbed in the true consciousness 
of the mind of Christ and freed from the law of sin and 
death.] And then shall that Wicked [carnal mind, 



222 Christian Science 

false Mind, the one evil] be revealed, whom the Lord 
shall consume with the spirit of his mouth [the Mind 
of Christ] and shall destroy with the brightness of his 
coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working 
of Satan [carnal mind, the ** wonders*' of the law of 
sin and death] with all powers and signs and lying 
wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteous- 
ness in them that perish ; because they received not the 
love of the truth, that they might be saved. ^ 

I. John 5: 9-12. If we receive the witness of 
men [carnal mind], the witness of God [the only 
begotten Son of the Father in each man in whom 
believing i.e., living in his consciousness, we shall be 
saved] is greater : for this is the witness of God which 
he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the 
Son of God [the Christ spirit within] hath the witness in 
himself [what does this mean? — think it over] ; he that 
believeth not God hath made him a liar [the carnal 
mind, always a lie and all its law a lie including the 
sense of evil and matter] ; because he believeth not the 
record that God gave of his Son [the only begotten 
within you]. And this is the record, that God hath 
given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son [the 
mind and law of the Christ within]. 

He that hath the Son hath [i.e., the consciousness of 
the Christ Mind is life ; and we are dead in trespasses 
and sins who live under the sense of existence of 
matter and evil] life ; and he that hath not the Son of 
God hath not life. 

Rev. 3: 13. He that hath an ear, let him hear 
what the Spirit saith unto the churches. 

Deut. 25: 13-15. Thou shalt not have in thy 
bag divers weights, a great [mind of Christ] and a 

* See previous note about destruction of evil qualities. 



Christ and Meaning of Life 223 

small [carnal mind]. Thou shalt not have in thine 
house divers measures, a great and a small. 

Thou shalt have a perfect and just weight [the Mind 
of Christ], a perfect and just measure shalt thou have: 
that thy days may be lengthened in the land which the 
Lord thy God giveth thee. 

Psalm 73: 26. My flesh and my heart faileth 
[carnal mind]: but God is the strength of my heart 
[mind of Christ], and my portion forever. 

John 3: II, 12, 31. Verily, verily, I say unto 
thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that 
we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I 
have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how 
shall ye believe if I tell you of heavenly things? He 
that cometh from above is above all [Christ Mind]: 
he that is of the earth is earthly [carnal mind], and 
speaketh of the earth : he that cometh from heaven is 
above all [carnal law and spiritual law have nothing 
in common]. 

John 8: 23-24, 43, 44, 45. And he said unto 
them. Ye are from beneath [mortal sense] ; I am from 
above [Mind of Christ] : ye are of this world; 1 am not 
of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall 
die in your sins : for if ye believe not that I am he 
[and vivify your mind which is of Christ], ye shall die 
in your sins [till you do you are dead in trespasses 
and sins]. Why do ye not understand my speech? 
[carnal mind cannot understand God] ; even because ye 
cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the 
devil [carnal mind] and the lusts of your father ye 
will do : he was a murderer from the beginning, and 
abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in 
him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own : 
for he is a liar, and the father of it [carnal mind a lie]. 



224 Christian Science 

And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me 
not. 

John 8: 34, 35, 36. Jesus answered them, 
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth 
sin [i.e,, the carnal mind of man] is the servant of sin. 

And the servant [carnal mind of man] abideth not 
in the house forever : but the Son [the Mind of Christ 
in man] abideth ever. 

If the Son therefore shall make you free [from the 
perception of sin by the carnal mind or objective 
mind of man] ye shall be free indeed. 

Isaiah 50: 10. Who is among you that feareth 
the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant [carnal 
mind], that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? 
let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his 
God. [Consider this in connection with the previous 
quotation. Can you frame another sensible interpreta- 
tion?] 

I.[Cor. 15: 54. So when this corruptible [carnal 
mind] shall have put on incorruption [Christ Mind], 
and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then 
shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, 
Death is swallowed up in victory [sense of death is 
lost in consciousness of continuous life]. 

John 5 : 30-31. I can of mine own self do nothing: 
as I hear [from the spiritual law of God], I judge: and 
my judgment is just ; because I seek not mine own will, 
but the will of the Father which hath sent me. If I 
bear witness of myself [carnal mind alone testifies of 
itself alone; God testifies of the spiritual mind and 
law], my witness is not true. 

Romans 8: 6. But to be spiritually minded 
[mind of Christ in you] is life and peace. 

Ephesians i: 18. The eyes of your understand- 



I 



Christ and Meaning of Life 225 

ing being enlightened [Mind of Christ] ; that ye may 
know what is the hope of his calHng. 

I. John 5: 9-12. If we receive the witness of 
men [i.e.y of carnal mind as to carnal law], the witness 
of God is greater [to spiritual law] : for this is the wit- 
ness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He 
that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in 
himself [a consciousness of the Christ mind] ; he that 
believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he 
believeth not the record that God gave of his Son [the 
mind of Christ]. And this is the record, that God hath 
given to us eternal life, and this [i.e. he in whom that 
mind which is of Christ rules] life is in his Son [liv- 
ing the Christ mind which is in and a part of you]. 
He that hath the Son [the mind of Christ in him] hath 
life; and he that hath not the Son hath not life. 

Rev. 3: 20-21. Behold, I stand at the door, and 
knock [of mind] ; if any man hear my voice, and open 
the door, / will come in to him [consciousness of Christ 
Mind in man], and will sup with him, and he with me. 

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me 
in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set 
down with my Father in his throne. [Consciousness 
of God.] [Eternal continuous life, with no appear- 
ance of breaks in consciousness.] 

Rev. 12 : lo-ii. And I heard a loud voice saying 
in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and 
the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ 
[mind] ; for the accuser of our brethren [carnal mind] 
is cast down, which accused them before our God day 
and night. 

And they [minds of Christ] overcame him [carnal 
mind] by the blood of the Lamb [by the knowledge 
of the meaning of Jesus* death], and by the word of 

15 



226 Christian Science 

their testimony ; and they loved not their lives unto the 
death [sense of matter]. 

Rev. 21 : 2-4, 7, 23, 24. And I John saw the 
holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out 
of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, 
Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men [the habita- 
tion of the Christ mind], and he will dwell with them, 
and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be 
with them, and be their God. 

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes ; 
and there shall be no more death [sense of death and 
matter, but continuous consciousness of God], neither 
sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more 
pain; for the former things are passed away [carnal 
law]. 

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I 
will be his God, and he shall be my son [mind of 
Christ]. 

23. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of 
the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did 
lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. 

24. And the nations of them which are saved shall 
walk in the light of it [knowledge of God through the 
Christ Mind]; and the kings of the earth do bring 
their glory and honor into it. 

Rev. 22: 3, 4, 5, 14, 17. And there shall be no 
more curse [carnal law] : but the throne of God and of 
the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve 
him: 

4. And they shall see his face: and his name shall 
be in their foreheads. 

5. And there shall be no night there [no darkness 
because no matter] ; and they need no candle, neither 



Christ and Meaning of Life 22^ 

light of the sun ; for the Lord God giveth them light: and 
they shall reign for ever and ever. 

14. Blessed are they that do his commandments, 
that they may have right to the tree of life [Christ 
Mind and spiritual consciousness], and may enter in 
through the gates into the city. 

17. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. 
And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him 
that is athirst, come. And whosoever will, let him 
take the water of life freely [spiritual law open to all]. 

Deut. 15: 9, 10. Beware that there be not a 
thought in thy wicked heart [carnal mind], saying. 
The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand ; and 
thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou 
givest him nought: and he cry unto the Lord against 
thee, and it be sin unto thee. 

Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall 
not be grieved when thou givest unto him; because 
that for this thing the Lord thy God shall bless thee 
in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine 
hand unto. 

Matt. 6: 23, 24, 31, 33. But if thine eye be 
evil [material], thy whole body shall be full of dark- 
ness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, 
how great is that darkness! 

No man can serve two masters: for either he will 
hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold 
to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve 
God and mammon. 

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we 
eat? or. What shall we drink? or. Wherewithal shall 
we be clothed [material thoughts]? 

(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) 
for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need 



228 Christian Science 

of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of 
God, and his righteousness ; and all these things shall be 
added unto you [in sufficient measure. Try it and see]. 

Matt. 9: 16, 17. No man putteth a piece of 
new cloth [Christ mind] unto an old garment [carnal 
mind] ; for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from 
the garment, and the rent is made worse. Neither do 
men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles 
break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles 
perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and 
both are preserved. 

Matt. 13: 19-22. When any one heareth the 
word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then 
Cometh the wicked one [your own carnal mind turned 
to carnal law], and catcheth away that which was 
sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by 
the way side. But he that received the seed into stony 
places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon 
with joy receiveth it [carnal mind alone]; Yet hath 
he not root in himself but dureth for a while : for when 
tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, 
by and by he is offended. 

Luke 6: 45. A good man [spiritual mind] out of 
the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that 
which is good ; and an evil man [carnal mind] out of the 
evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is 
evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth 
speaketh. [Where your treasure is there will your 
heart be also.] 

[Please try to interpret the three ensuing verses, (i) 
On the ordinarily accepted theory of consciousness and 
(2) on the theory of consciousness set forth in this book. 
Do this for yourself and see into which theory the words 
of Jesus quoted fit the best:] 



Christ and Meaning of Life 229 

John 9: 39, 40, 41. And Jesus said, For judg- 
ment I am come into this world, that they which see 
not might see; and that they which see might be made 
blind. 

And some of the Pharisees which were with him 
heard these words, and said imto him, Are we blind 
also? 

Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should 
have no sin, but now ye say, We see; therefore your 
SIN remaineth. 

Amos 7: 7, 8. Thus he shewed me: and, behold, 
the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plimibline, with 
a plumbline in his hand. 

And the Lord said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? 
And I said, A plumbline [divided mind]. Then said 
the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst 
of my people Israel : I will not again pass by them any 
more. 

Romans 8: 15-19. For ye have not received the 
spirit of bondage again to fear: but ye have received 
the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, 
that we are the children of God: 

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint 
heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that 
we may be also glorified together. 

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time 
are not worthy to be compared with the glory which 
shall be revealed in us. 

For the earnest expectation of the creature [carnal 
mind] waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of 
God [spiritual mind]. 

Isaiah 61: i. The Spirit of the Lord God is 
upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to 



230 Christian Science 

preach good tidings unto the meek ; he hath sent me to 
bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the 
captives [carnal mind], and the opening of the prison^ 
to them that are bound [with carnal law]. 

Lord I [the Christ Mind] believe; help thou mine 
unbeHef [carnal mind]. 



IMMORTAL MIND. 

Note: The reader is asked to attempt a reconciliation of the 
verses under this heading with those under the heading "Mortal 
Mind and the Devil. " If the Bible be an inspired volume, surely 
there must be some at-one-ment for such conflicting statements. 

Gen. 1 : 26. And God said, Let us make man 
in our image, after our. likeness : and let them have 
dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl 
of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, 
and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the 
earth. [Doesn't sound like man as we know him, 
does it ?] 

Psalm 119: 89-91. Forever, Lord, thy word 
is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all 
generations: thou hast established the earth [God's 
idea of it], and it abideth. They continue this day [the 
Mind of Christ now, not at some far distant time, also 
it always has been], according to thine ordinances: 
for all are thy servants. [Does not this sound to you 
as though there is a perfect man under each of us? 
Surely you cannot twist this to fit mortal man.] 

John I : I -1 4. In the beginning was the Word 
[ideas], and the Word was with God, and the Word was 
God. The same was in the beginning with God. All 
things were made by him; and without him was not 
anything made that was made. In him was life 
[goodness] ; and the life was the light of men. And the 

^31 



232 Christian Science 

light shineth in darkness [a sense of matter] ; and the 
darkness comprehended it not. There was a man 
sent from God, whose name was John. The same 
came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that 
all men through him might believe. He was not that 
Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 
That was the true Light, which lighteth every man 
that Cometh into the world [the Mind of Christ, 
the only begotten Son]. He was in the world, and 
the world was made by him, and the world knew him 
not. He came unto his own, and his own received 
him not. But as many as received him, to them gave 
he power to become the sons of God [to live in the 
consciousness of the Mind of Christ], even to them that 
believe on his name. Which were born, not of blood, 
nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man [i.^., 
under the carnal law, so-called law made by man. 
Sounds like a method of birth unknown to-day, doesn't 
it?], but by God. And the Word was made flesh 
[had the same sense of matter], and dwelt among us, 
(and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only 
begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth. 

Mark 4: 30-32. And he said, Whereunto shall 
we liken the kingdom of God [Christ Mind] ? or with 
what comparison shall we compare it? It is like a 
grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the 
earth [the carnal mind], is less than all the seeds that 
becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out 
be in the earth : But when it is sown, it groweth up, 
and great branches ; so that the fowls of the air [ideas 
of God] may lodge under the shadow of it. [See Matt. 
17-21.] 

Isaiah 45: Vs. 11-13. Thus saith the Lord, the 
Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things 



Christ and Meaning of Life 233 

to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work 
of my hands command ye me. I have made the earth 
[the real earth, not the earth as man knows it], and 
created man upon it; I, even my hands, have stretched 
out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded. 
I have raised him [true man] up in righteousness, and 
I will direct all his ways. [Not like carnal law, do you 
think so?] 

Psalm 82: 6. I have said, Ye are gods [the 
mind of Christ] ; and all of you are children of the Most 
High. 

Psalm 16: 8-10. I have set the Lord always 
before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not 
be moved. 

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: 
my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not 
leave my soul in hell [a sense of matter] ; neither wilt 
thou suffer thine Holy One [Christ Mind] to see cor- 
ruption. [''Corruption cannot inherit incorruption. "] 

Matt. 6: 22-23. The light of the body [God's 
idea or body] is the eye ; if therefore thine eye be single 
[toward spirit alone] thy whole body shall be full of 
light [truth] But if thine eye be evil [a false idea of 
material eye], thy whole body shall be full of darkness 
[a perception of matter]. 

Job 33: 4. The Spirit of God hath made me, 
and the breath of the Almighty [Mind of Christ in me] 
hath given me life. 

Amos 4: 13. For, lo, he that formeth the 
mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth 
unto man what is [what is real in his thought] his 
thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and 
treadeth upon the high places of the earth. The Lord, 
The God of hosts, is his name. 



234 



Christian Science 



Mark ii: 21-24. And Peter calling to remem- 
brance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree 
which thou cursedst is withered away. And Jesus 
answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For 
verily I say unto you. That whosoever shall say unto 
this mountain [a material thing]. Be thou removed, 
and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his 
heart [spiritual perceptions; carnal mind cannot, 
because it is enmity to God], but shall believe that 
those things which he saith shall come to pass; he 
shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto 
you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, 
believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. 

Mark 16: 17, 18. And these signs shall follow 
them that believe [live in the mind which was in 
Christ Jesus]. In my name shall they cast out devils; 
they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take 
up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it 
shall not hurt them ; they shall lay hands on the sick, 
and they shall recover. [I personally believe this to 
be literally true to one who lives solely with the Mind 
of Christ and has been thereby set free from the law 
of sin and death though probably it will not be done 
to-day.] 

John 5: 19-24. Then Jesus answered and said 
unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son 
[the mind of Christ in every man] can do nothing of 
himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what 
things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son like- 
wise [the Son is the Father's expression]. For the 
Father loveth the Son, and showeth him all things that 
himself doeth [The mind of Christ in you entitles 
you to the Father's knowledge of all things. Try it 
and see] : and h.e will shew Mm greater works than 



Christ and Meaning of Life 235 

these, that ye may marvel. [If Jesus had been speak- 
ing of himself, only, do you think he would have 
spoken this last sentence?] For as the Father raiseth 
up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son 
[the mind of Christ] quickeneth whom he will whoever 
tries to control, by the mind of Christ within himself, 
the carnal mind, can control whom he will; [he will 
seek to do nothing wrong]. For the Father judgeth 
no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the 
Son : That all men should honour the Son, even as they 
honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son 
honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. 
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my 
word, and belie veth [lives with the mind of Christ] 
on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall 
not come into condemnation ; but is passed from death 
[carnal law] unto life [spiritual life]. 

Luke 6: 43, 44, 45. For a good tree [spiritual 
mind] bringeth not forth corrupt fruit [carnal law]; 
neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit 
[spiritual law]. For every tree is known by his own 
fruit. For of thorns men [carnal mind] do not gather 
figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. A 
good man [the mind in Christ Jesus] out of the good 
treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; 
and an evil man [the carnal mind] out of the evil 
treasure [perception of matter] of his heart bringeth 
forth that which is evil : for of the abundance of the 
heart his mouth speaketh. [Faith which is the sub- 
stance of things hoped for exercised in the wrong 
direction.] 

John 15: 7. If ye abide in me, and my words 
abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be 
done imto you. 



236 



Christian Science 



John 14: 12. He that belie veth [lives with the 
mind of Christ] on me, the works that I do, shall he 
do also: and greater works than these shall he do; 
because I go unto my Father. 

Proverbs 16: 7. When a man's ways please the 
Lord, he maketh even his enemies [carnal mind, its 
laws and thoughts] to be at peace with him. 

Exodus 23: 25. And ye shall serve the Lord your 
God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and 
I will take sickness away from the midst of thee. 

Proverbs 29: 18. Where there is no vision [faith 
which is the evidence of things unseen], the people 
perish; but he that keepeth the law [the spirituallaw, 
not the carnal law], happy is he. 

Isaiah 26: 3. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, 
whose mind is stayed on thee [m^ind of Christ]; be- 
cause he trusteth in thee. [But you must trust and 
not keep running around trying to do things better 
than God.] 

Isaiah 30: 20, 21. And though the Lord give you 
the bread of adversity [consciousness of matter — 
why, I do not know], and the water of affliction, yet 
shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any 
more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers [the Mind 
of Christ will become more and more in consciousness] : 

And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, 
This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the 
right hand, and when ye turn to the left [a picture of 
redemption through gradually coming to live with the 
Christ Mind]. 

Exodus 15: 2. The Lord is my strength and song^ 
and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and 
I will prepare him an habitation [mind of Christ] ; my 
Father's God, and I will exalt him. 



Christ and Meaning of Life 237 

Jeremiah 9: 23, 24. Thus saith the Lord, Let not 
the wise man [carnal mind] glory in his wisdom [car- 
nal law], neither let the mighty man [see Ecc. 12: 
3] [carnal mind] glory in his might, let not the rich 
man [rich in a perception of material things] glory 
in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, 
that he understandeth [a state of consciousness] and 
knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving- 
kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth 
[the true earth, God's idea]; for in these things I 
delight, saith the Lord. 

Ezekiel 34: 11, 12, 16. For thus saith the Lord 
God; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep 
[the minds of Christ in men], and seek them out. As 
a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is 
among his sheep that are scattered : so will I seek out 
my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places 
where they have been scattered in the cloudy [a sense 
of matter] and dark day. I will seek that which was 
lost [carnal minds], and bring again that which was 
driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, 
and will straighten that which was sick. 

Exodus 29: 46. And they shall know that I am the 
Lord their God, that brought them forth out of the 
land of Egypt [from mortal sense], that I dwell 
among them : I am the Lord their God. 

Matthew 5 : 6, 16. Blessed are they which do hun- 
ger and thirst after righteousness : for they shall be 
filled. 

Let your light so shine [the mind of Christ in you] 
before men, that they may see your good works, and 
glorify your Father which is in heaven. 

Matt. 13: 23. But he that received seed into 
the good ground is he that heareth the word, and 



238 Christian Science 

understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and 
bringeth forth, sorae an hundred fold, some sixty, 
some thirty. 

Habakkuk 3: 17, 18. Although the fig tree shall 
not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the 
labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield 
no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, 
and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will 
rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salva- 
tion. [Material things, no reality.] 

Isaiah 42: 6, 7. I the Lord have called thee in 
righteousness [the mind which was in Christ Jesus], 
and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and will 
give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of 
the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the 
prisoners from the prison [the carnal mind], and them 
that sit in darkness [a sense of matter], out of the 
prison house [the carnal mind]. 

Malachi 4: 2, 3. But unto you that fear my name 
shall the Sun of righteousness [the Only Begotten 
Son, in each man's heart, a part of man's mind] arise 
with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and 
grow up as calves of the stall. And ye shall tread 
down the wicked [carnal mind and law] ; for they shall 
[see notes regarding construction to be put on de- 
struction of evil] be ashes under the soles of your feet 
in the day that I shall do this, saith The Lord of hosts. 

Psalms 8 : 3-6. When I consider thy heavens, the 
work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which 
thou hast ordained; 

What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the 
son of man, that thou visitest him? 

For thou hast made him a little lower than the 
angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. 



Christ and Meaning of Life 239 

Thou madest him to have dominion over the works 
of thy hands ; thou hast put all things under his feet. 

John 15: 10. If ye keep my commandments [the 
spiritual law], ye shall abide in my love; even as I 
have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in 
his love. 

Joel 2: 28, 32. (Part) And it shall come to pass 
afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit [the mind 
which was in Christ] upon all flesh ; and your sons and 
your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall 
dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And 
it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the 
name of the Lord [mind of Christ communing with 
God], shall be delivered. 

John 3: 3. Jesus answered and said unto him, 
Verily, verily, I say unto thee. Except a man be born 
again, he cannot see the kingdom of God [get a new 
consciousness which is one with God's consciousness]. 

John 3: 31. He that cometh from above is above 
all [spiritual mind] : he that is of the earth is earthly 
[carnal mind], and speaketh of the earth [carnal law]: 
he that cometh from heaven [spiritual mind] is 
above all. 

Matt. 17: 14-21. And when they were come to 
the multitude, there came to him a certain man, 
kneeling down to him, and saying. Lord, have mercy 
on my son; for he is lunatic, and sore vexed: And I 
brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure 
him. Then Jesus answered and said, faithless 
and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? 
how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. 
And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of 
him; and the child was cured from that very hour. 
Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said. 



240 Christian Science 

Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said 
unto them, Because of your unbelief [carnal mind]; 
for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of 
mustard seed [in the highest mind, the only begotten 
son, the law of the spirit of Jesus Christ], ye shall say 
unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place ; 
and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible 
unto you. 

Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer 
[communion with God through the Christ Mind] and 
fasting [from all material perceptions]. 

John 5: 19-23. Then answered Jesus and said 
unto them. Verily, verily, I say unto you. The Son 
[mind of Christ in you] can do nothing of himself, 
but what he seeth the Father do [the divine plan 
rules] : for what things soever he doeth these also doeth 
the Son likewise [spiritual mind]. For the Father 
loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that 
himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works 
than these, that ye may marvel. 

For as the Father raiseth up the dead [ye are dead 
in trespasses and sins] [i.^., a knowledge of matter] and 
quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom 
he will. For the Father judgeth no man, but hath 
committed all judgment unto the Son [the mind of 
Christ ^in every man] : That all men should honour 
the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that 
honoureth not the Son [spiritual mind and its ideas] 
honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. Verily, 
verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and 
believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, 
and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed 
from death [carnal law] unto life [spiritual law]. 

John 12: 26, 44. If any man serve me [the mind 



Christ and Meaning of Life 241 

of Christ within], let him follow me; and where I am 
[in that consciousness], there shall also my servant 
be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. 
Jesus cried and said. He that believeth on me, be- 
lieveth not on me, but on him that sent me [God, 
who gave or sent His only Begotten Son], to be a 
part of each man. 

John 8: 51, 54, 55. Verily, verily, I say unto 
you. If a man keep my saying, he shall never see 
death. 

If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my 
Father that honoureth me; of whom ye [carnal minds] 
say, that he is your God: Yet ye [carnal law and 
minds] have not known him: but I know him: and if 
I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like 
unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying 
[spiritual law which has nothing to do with the law of 
nature or man's law]. 

Philippians 4: 13. I can do all things through 
Christ [the mind of Christ within me] which strength- 
eneth me. [Do you believe this?] 

Deut. 10: 12. And now, Israel, what doth the 
Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy 
God [live in his consciousness, subject to his law and 
not subject to the carnal law], to walk in all his ways, 
and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with 
all thy heart [spiritual mind] and with all thy soul 
[carnal mind corrected]. 

I. Chron. 16: 11. Seek the Lord and his strength 
[the mind of Christ within you], seek his face con- 
tinually. 

I. Chron. 16: 29. Give unto the Lord the glory 
due unto his name : bring an offering [deny your body ; 
oflEer it a *' living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God 
16 



242 Christian Science 

which is your reasonable service"] and come before 
him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. 
[In spirit and in truth which is the mind of Christ 
within you.] 

Psalm 112:4. Unto the upright [minds of Christ] 
there ariseth light in the darkness [in the midst of 
carnal perception; ''underneath are the everlasting 
arms"]. 

Psalm 119:92. Unless thy law had been my 
delights [Christ Mind], I should then have perished 
in mine affliction. 

115. Depart from me, ye evil doers [carnal 
thoughts]; for I will keep the commandments of my 
God [live in consciousness of God's law which is not 
the inharmonious ''law of nature" or that "wisdom 
which is foolishness to God"]. 

Isaiah 30:20, 21. And though the Lord give 
you the bread of adversity [consciousness of matter], 
and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers 
be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall 
see thy teachers [you shall understand your minds]; 
And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, 
This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the 
right hand, and when ye turn to the left. [Perhaps 
this is a prophecy of the point in development we now 
have reached.] 

Isaiah 55:2, 3. Wherefore do ye spend money 
for that which is not bread? [material things] and your 
labour for that which satisfieth not ? hearken diligently 
unto me, and eat ye that which is good [by every word 
which proceedeth out of the mouth of God shall man 
live], and let your soul delight itself in fatness [real 
spiritual substance]. Incline your ear, and come unto 
me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an 



Christ and Meaning of Life 243 

everlasting covenant with you [the only begotten son 
in you, the mind of Christ], even the sure mercies of 
David. 

Jeremiah 9:23, 24. Thus saith the Lord, Let 
not the wise man glory in his wisdom [carnal law 
which is not God's law], neither let the mighty man 
glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his 
riches [perception of material things]; But let him 
that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and 
knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving- 
kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: 
for in these things I delight, saith the Lord. [Not in 
suffering, which is a product of man's own law.] 

John 9:1-3. And as Jesus passed by, he saw 
a man which was blind from his birth. And his 
disciples asked him, saying. Master, who did sin, this 
man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus 
answered. Neither hath this man sinned, nor his 
parents: but that the works of God should be made 
manifest in him. [Possibly a hint here of the reason 
for it all, and a hint that real man is perfect as the 
Christ Mind and all our present impressions merely 
false consciousness.] 

John 12:46. I am come a light into the world 
[the Christ Mind], that whosoever believeth on me 
should not abide in darkness [a sense of matter and 
evil]. 

I. Thessalonians 5 : 9. For God hath not ap- 
pointed us to wrath [mortal sense], but to obtain 
salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ [the mind of 
Christ]. 

Philippians 2:13. For it is God which worketh 
in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 

Romans 12: i, 2. I beseech you therefore, 



244 Christian Science 

brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your 
bodies a living sacrifice [give your sense of matter], 
holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable 
service. And be not conformed to this world: but be 
ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that 
ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and 
perfect will of God. 

II. Cor. 4:3, 4. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid 
to them that are lost. In whom the god of this world 
[mortal sense] hath blinded the minds of them which 
believe not [how plainer could it be said that our 
present inharmonious laws of nature are not God's 
laws?], lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ 
[spiritual sense and mind], who is the image of God, 
should shine unto them. 

Galatians 5:1, 16. Stand fast therefore in the 
liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and 
be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage 
[material sense]. 

This I say then. Walk in the Spirit and ye 
shall] not fulfil the lust of the flesh [the tempter; 
when man is tempted, he is ''led away of his own 
lust'']. 

Acts 17:28, 29. For in him we live, and move, 
and have our being; Forasmuch then as we are the 
offspring of God, we ought not to think that the God- 
head is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by 
art and man's device [i.e., the body]. 

[Is it not evident that the Bible teaches that there 
is another law, and that what we have called the law 
of nature is not the law of God, or a law that we need 
be subject to except as we (mankind) have made 
ourselves subject to it?] 

Matt. 6:22. The light of the body is the eye: 



Christ and Meaning of Life 245 

if therefore thine eye be single [spiritual alone], thy 
whole body shall be full of light. 

Job 32 : 8. But there is a spirit [mind of Christ] 
in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth 
them understanding. 

John 17: 10. And all mine are thine, and thine 
are mine ; and I am glorified in them. 

John 10: 10. I am come that they might have 
life [the mind of Christ], and that they might have it 
more abundantly. 

Romans i : 20. For the invisible things of him 
from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being 
understood by the things that are made, even his 
eternal power and Godhead ; so that they are without 
excuse. [Underneath are the everlasting arms.] 

Romans 8:1, 2. There is therefore now no con- 
demnation [no carnal law; "this i^ the condemnation 
that light hath come into the world and men loved 
darkness rather than the light''] to them which are in 
Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh [carnal 
law], but after the Spirit. 

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ 
Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and 

DEATH. 

[Is it not evident that the Bible teaches that there is 
another law, and that what we have called the inhar- 
monious and law of nature is not the law of God or a 
law that we need be subject to except as we (mankind) 
have made ourselves subject to it?] 

Romans 8:5. But they that are after the Spirit, 
the things of the Spirit. 

Romans 8: 6. But to be spiritually minded 
[mind of Christ in you] is life, and peace. 

Romans 8 : 9. But ye are not in the flesh, but 



246 Christian Science 

in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you 
[mind of Christ rule you]. 

Psalm 8: 3-6. When I consider thy heavens, 
the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which 
thou hast ordained ; 

What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the 
son of man, that thou visitest him? 

For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels 
[real man not carnal man], and hast crowned him with 
glory and honour. 

Thou madest him to have dominion over the works 
of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet. 

II. Cor. 5: 1-4. For we know that, if our 
earthly house [carnal mind and carnal body] of this 
tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, 
a house [God's idea or body] [perfect], not made with 
hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this [knowledge 
of matter, carnal body] we groan, earnestly desiring 
to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven 
[God's idea or body]. If so be that being clothed we 
shall not be found naked. [Remember Adam and 
Eve did not know that they were naked till they had a 
sense of matter.] For we that are in this tabernacle 
do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be 
unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be 
swallowed up of life [mortal mind swallowed up of 
spiritual mind]. 

Galatians 5: i. Stand fast therefore in the 
liberty [mind of Christ] wherewith Christ hath made 
us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of 
bondage [carnal law]. 

I. John 3: 13, 14. Marvel not, my brethren, if 
the world hate you. We know that we have passed 
from death [carnal law] unto life [spiritual life], 



Christ and Meaning of Life 247 

because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his 
brother ahideth in death [a sense of evil. Does hatred 
come from anything but a false sense of matter, i,e,^ 
separation from one another and from God?]. 

I. John 4:7, 8. Beloved, let us love one another: 
for love is of God ; and everyone that loveth is born of 
God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not, knoweth 
not God; for God is love, [If God is Infinite All and 
God is Love can hatred have reality?] 

Rev. II: 15. And the seventh angel sounded; 
and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The 
kingdoms of this world [carnal law] are become the 
kingdoms of our Lord [spiritual law], and of his 
Christ [mind]; and he shall reign for ever and ever, 
[in man] [the consciousness of men]. 

Rev. 21:2-4, 7, 23, 24. And I John saw the 
holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out 
of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her 
husband. 

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, 
Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men [the habita- 
tion of the Christ mind], and he will dwell with them, 
and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be 
with them, and be their God. 

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; 
and there shall be no more death [sense of death and 
matter, but continuous consciousness of God], neither 
sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more 
pain; for the former things are passed away [carnal 
law]. 

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I 
will be his God, and he shall be my son [mind of 
Christ], 
I 23. And the city had no need of the sun, neither 



248 Christian Science 

of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did 
lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof, 

24. And the nations of them which are saved shall 
walk in the Hght of it [knowledge of God through the 
Christ Mind]; and the kings of the earth do bring 
their glory and honour into it. 

Rev. 12: 10, II. And I heard a loud voice 
saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, 
and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his 
Christ [mind] : for the accuser of our brethren [carnal 
mind] is cast down, which accused them before our 
God day and night. 

II. And they [minds of Christ] overcame him 
[carnal mind] by the blood of the Lamb [by the knowl- 
edge of the meaning of Jesus' death], and by the word 
of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto 
the death [sense of matter]. 

Rev. 22: 3, 4, 5, 14, 17. And there shall be no 
more curse [carnal law] : but the throne of God and of 
the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve 
him: 

4. And they shall see his face : and his name shall 
be in their foreheads. 

5. And there shall be no night there [no darkness 
because no matter] ; and they need no candle, neither 
light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and 
they shall reign for ever and ever. 

14. Blessed are they that do his commandments, 
that they may have right to the tree of life [Christ 
Mind and spiritual consciousness], and may enter in 
through the gates into the city. 

17. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. 
And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him 
that is athirst, come. And whosoever will, let 



Christ and Meaning of Life 249 

him take the water of life freely [spiritual law open 
to all]. 

Jeremiah 17: 7. Blessed is the man that trust- 
eth in the Lord [mind of Christ within], and whose hope 
the Lord is. 

Deut. 5: 24. And ye said, Behold, the Lord our 
God hath shewed us his glory and his greatness, and 
we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire; 
we have seen this day that God doth talk with man, 
and he liveth [is under spiritual law : the rule of carnal 
law is death]. 

Psalm 46: 1-5. God is our refuge and strength, a 
very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we 
fear, though the earth be removed [mortal sense 
lost], and though the mountains be carried into the 
midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and 
be troubled, though the mountains shake with the 
swelling thereof. There is a river [spiritual conscious- 
ness], the streams whereof shall make glad the city of 
God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most 
High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be 
moved; God shall help her, and that right early. 

Luke 12: 6, 7. Are not five sparrows sold for 
two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before 
God? 

But even the very hairs of yoiur head are all num- 
bered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than 
many sparrows. 

I. Chronicles 28: 9. For the Lord searcheth all 
hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the 
thoughts [of true thoughts]; if thou seek him [the 
mind of Christ and his law], he will be found of thee; 
but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever 
[as long as you forsake him and live in false conscious- 



250 Christian Science 

ness, and this may seem to mortal sense to last for- 
ever]. 

20. And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong 
and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dis- 
mayed, for the Lord God, even my God, will be with 
thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou 
hast finished all the work for the service of the house 
of the Lord. 

Mark 9: 2-4. And after six days Jesus taketh 
with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth 
them up into a high mountain apart by themselves: 
and he was transfigured before them. And his rai- 
ment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as 
no fuller on earth can white them. And there ap- 
peared unto them Elias with Moses: and [continuity 
of life] they were talking with Jesus. 

Luke 6: 45. A good man [spiritual mind] out 
of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that 
which is good ; and an evil man [carnal mind] out of the 
evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is 
evil; for of the abundance of the heart his mouth 
speaketh. 

[Where your treasure is there will your heart be 
also.] 

[Please try to interpret the three ensuing verses (i) on 
the ordinarily accepted theory of consciousness and (2) 
on the theory of consciousness set forth in this book. Do 
this for yourself and see into which theory the words of 
Jesus quoted fit the best :] 

John 9: 39, 40, 41. And Jesus said, For judg- 
ment I am come into this world, that they which see 
not might see ; and that they which see might be made 
blind. 

And some of the Pharisees which were with him 



Christ and Meaning of Life 251 

heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind 
also? 

Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should 
have no sin; hut now ye say, we see; therefore your 

SIN REMAINETH. 

Isaiah 61: i. The Spirit of the Lord God is 
upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to 
preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me 
to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to 
the captives, and the opening of the prison to them 
that are bound [carnal mind]. 

IL Cor. 5 : 4. For we that are in this tabernacle 
do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be 
unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be 
swallowed up of life. 

Isaiah 52: 13, 15. Behold, my servant shall deal 
prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be 
very high. 

So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall 
shut their mouths at him: for that which had not 
been told them shall they see; and that which they 
had not heard shall they consider [he that hath ears 
to hear]. 

Psalms 17: 15. And where is now my hope? 
as for my hope, who shall see it ? 

Eph. i: 3-6. Blessed be the God and Father 
of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with 
all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 

According as he hath chosen us in him before the 
foundation of the world, that we should be holy and 
without blame before him in love : 

Having predestinated us [spiritual mind] unto the 
adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, 
according to the good pleasvire of his will. 



252 Christian Science 

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he 
hath made us accepted in the beloved. 

Rev. 3: II, 12. Behold, I come quickly: hold 
that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 

Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the 
temple of my God, and he shall go no more out : and 
I will write upon him the name of my God, and the 
name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, 
which Cometh down out of heaven from my God: 
and I will write upon him my new name. 



MORTAL MIND AND THE DEVIL. 

Note: The reader is asked to attempt a reconciliation of the 
verses under this heading with those under the heading "Immor- 
tal Mind. " If the Bible be an inspired volume surely there must 
be some at-one-ment for such conflicting statements. 

Gen. 5: I, 3, 5. This Is the book of the genera- 
tions of Adam. In the day that God created man, in 
the likeness of God made he him; 

And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and 
begat a son in his own likeness [carnal mind], after his 
image; and called his name Seth; 

And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred 
and thirty years; and he died. 

c- Eccl. 3: 18, 20. I said in mine heart concerning 
the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest 
them, and that they might see that they themselves 
are beasts. 

All go unto one place: all are of the dust, and all 
turn to dust again. 

John 3: 5-7. Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I 
say unto thee. Except a man be born of water and 
of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of 
God. 

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that 
which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 

Marvel not that I said unto thee. Ye must be born 
again. 

253 



254 Christian Science 

Romans 8: 5, 6, 8. For they that are after the 
flesh [carnal minds] do mind the things of the flesh; 

For to be carnally minded is death; 

So then they that are in the flesh [in the sense of 
matter] cannot please God [because the carnal law is 
not God's law]. 

John 15: 23. He [carnal mind] that hateth me 
[enmity to God] hateth my Father also. 

John 1 : 1-14. In the beginning was the Word 
[ideas], and the Word was with God, and the Word 
was God. The same was in the beginning with God. 
All things were made by him, and without him was not 
anything made that was made. In him was life 
[goodness] ; and the life was the light of men. And the 
light shineth in darkness [a sense of matter] ; and the 
darkness comprehended it not. There was a man 
sent from God, whose name was John. The same 
came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all 
men through him might believe. He was not that 
Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 
That was the true Light, which lighteth en)ery man 
that Cometh into the world [the Mind of Christ, the 
only begotten Son]. He was in the world, and the 
world was made by him, and the world knew him 
not. He came unto his own, and his own received 
him not. But as many as received him, to them gave 
he power to become the sons of God [to live in the 
consciousness of the mind of Christ], even to them that 
believe on his name. Which were born, not of blood, 
nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of men 
\i,e., under the carnal law, so-called law made by man. 
Sounds like a method of birth unknown to-day, doesn't 
it?], but by God. And the Word was made flesh 
[had the same sense of matter], and dwelt among us, 



Christ and Meaning of Life 255 

(and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only 
begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth. 

Job 14: 1-4. Man that is born of woman [carnal 
mind] is of few days, and full of trouble [mortal man]. 

He Cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he 
fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. 

And dost thou open thine eyes upon such a one, 
and bringest me into judgment with thee ? 

Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not 
one [carnal mind and carnal law so long as they 
remain are an illusion of uncleanness]. 

Luke 6: 43, 44, 45. For a good tree [spiritual 
mind] bringeth not forth corrupt fruit [carnal law]; 
neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit 
[spiritual law]. For every tree is known by his own 
fruit. For of thorns men [carnal mind] do not gather 
figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. A 
good man [the mind in Christ Jesus] out of the good 
treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; 
and an evil man [the carnal mind] out of the evil 
treasure [perception of matter] of his heart bringeth 
forth that which is evil; for of the abundance of the 
heart his mouth speaketh. [Faith which is the sub- 
stance of things hoped for exercised in the wrong 
direction.] 

, Job 15: 22. He believeth not that he shall return 
out of darkness [a perception of matter], and he is 
waited for of the sword [suffering of sense]. 
, Matt. 12: 25, 28, 29. Every kingdom [man] 
divided against itself [the two minds of man warring 
with one another] is brought to desolation; and every 
city or house divided against itself shall not stand: 
And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against 
himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? And if I 



256 Christian Science 

by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your 
children cast them out? therefore they shall be your 
judges. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, 
then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Or else, 
how can one enter into a strong man's [carnal mind] 
house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the 
strong man? and then he will spoil his house. 

Isaiah 9:2. The people that walked in darkness 
have seen a great light : they that dwell in the land of 
the shadow of death [our present consciousness], upon 
them hath the light shined. 

Gen. 32: 24-28. And Jacob was left alone; 
and there wrestled a man [struggle between carnal 
and spiritual man] with him until the breaking of 
the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not 
against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh: and 
the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he 
wrestled with him. And he said. Let me go, for the 
day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, 
except thou bless me. And he said unto him. What 
is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said. 
Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel : 
for as a prince hast thou power with God and with 
men, and hast prevailed. 

Job 17: 14. I have said to "corruption [carnal 
mind], Thou art my father: to the wornty Thou art 
my mother, and my sister [carnal law: doctrine of 
evolution — seems to fit the biological theory of man's 
development pretty closely, doesn't it?]. 

Job 18: 21. Surely such are the dwellings [car- 
nal minds] of the wicked, and this is the place of him 
THAT KNOWETH NOT GOD [carnal law is not known to 
God and He has nothing to do with it]. 

Job 19: 7, 8. Behold, I cry out of wrong 



Christ and Meaning of Life 257 

[carnal mind], but i am not heard [a belief in carnal 
law meets no response of God]. I cry aloud, but 
there is no judgment. 

He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass, and 
he hath set darkness in my paths [*'he'' — carnal 
mind, not God]. 

Isaiah 42: 6, 7. I the Lord have called thee in 
righteousness [the mind which was in Christ Jesus], 
and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and will 
give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of 
the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the 
prisoners from the prison [the carnal mind], and them 
that sit in darkness [a sense of matter] out of the 
prison house [the carnal mind]. 

II. Thessalonians 2: 7-10. For the mystery of 
iniquity doth already work : only he who now letteth 
will let [the carnal mind, false mind] until he be taken 
out of the way. [Absorbed in the true consciousness 
of the mind of Christ and freed from the law of sin 
and death.] And then shall that Wicked [carnal 
mind, false mind, the one evil] be revealed, whom the 
Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth [the 
mind of Christ], and shall destroy with the brightness 
of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the 
working of Satan [carnal mind, the *' wonders" of the 
law of sin and death] with all powers and signs and 
lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of un- 
righteousness in them that perish; because they 
received not the love of the truth, that they might be 
saved. ^ 

Jeremiah 5: 21. Hear now this, foolish people, 
and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; 
which have ears, and hear not, 

^ See previous note about destruction of evil qualities. 



258 Christian Science 

Jeremiah 17: 9. The heart [carnal mind] is de- 
ceitful above all things, and desperately wicked : who 
can know it ? 

Daniel 3:17. If it be so, our God whom we 
serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery- 
furnace [mortal sense], and he will deliver us out of 
thine hand, king. 

Isaiah 30: 20, 21. And though the Lord give you 
the bread of adversity [consciousness of matter — 
why, I do not know], and the water of afifliction, yet 
shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any 
more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers [the Mind 
of Christ will become more and more in consciousness]. 

And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, 
This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the 
right hand, and when ye turn to the left [a picture of 
redemption through gradually coming to live with the 
Christ Mind]. 

Isaiah 49: 8, 9. Thus saith the Lord, In an ac- 
ceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of 
salvation have I helped thee : and I will preserve thee, 
and give thee for a covenant of the people, to estab- 
lish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages 
[refill the sense of matter with truth]; That thou 
may est say to the prisoners [carnal mind]. Go forth; 
to them that are in darkness [sense of evil]. Shew 
yourselves [become one with the mind of Christ]. 
They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be 
in all high places. 

Jeremiah 6: 16. Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye 
in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths 
[spiritual mind], where is the good way, and walk 
therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But 
they said, We will not walk therein. 



Christ and Meaning of Life 259 

Daniel 6: 22. My God hath sent his angel, and 
hath shut the lions' mouths [mortal sense], that they 
have hot hurt me : forasmuch as before him innocency 
was found in me ; and also before thee, king, have I 
done no hurt. 

Daniel 4: 35. All the inhabitants of the earth 
are reputed as nothing [carnal minds, bodies of 
matter — nothing]: and he doeth according to his will 
in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of 
the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto 
him, What doest thou?^ 

Hosea 6: i, 2. Come, and let us return unto the 
Lord: for he hath torn [we suffer when we live in 
darkness, *' this is the condemnation "], and he will heal 
us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After 
two days will he revive us: in the third day he will 
raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. 

Matt. 25: 14, 15, 29. The kingdom of heaven 
[life, real life] is as a man travelling into a far country, 
who called his own servants, and delivered unto them 
his goods. 

And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, 
and to another one; to every man according to his 
several ability; and straightway took his journey. 

For unto everyone that hath [spiritual consciousness 
and law] shall be given, and he shall have abundance: 
but from him that hath not [''not thought''] [mortal 

'It appears here and elsewhere in the Bible, as though 
in speaking of the inhabitants of the earth, the Scripture was 
referring to the earthly qualities of individual men and mankind 
in general; in speaking of the army of heaven, of the spiritual 
qualities, not individuals themselves. The same construction 
can be placed on nearly every place in the Bible where it speaks 
of the destruction of evil and those who are evil. 



26o Christian Science 

consciousness and law] shall be taken away even that 
which he hath [nothing. Sounds more just than the 
old interpretation, does it not?]. 

Habakkuk i: 12, 13. Art thou not from ever- 
lasting, Lord my God, mine Holy One? We shall 
not die [consciousness of continuity of life]. Lord, 
thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O 
Mighty God, thou hast established them for correc- 
tion. Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and 
canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou 
upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy 
tongue when the wicked devoureth [the problem of 
carnal man existing along with] the man that is more 
righteous than he? [God not understood by this quo- 
tation. The same problem we have to-day stated 
in the same paragraph with the statement of a ' * God 
without iniquity."] [In him we live, and move, and 
have our being. Can a good tree bring forth evil 
fruit?] 

Luke 6: 45. A good man [spiritual mind] out 
of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that 
which is good ; and an evil man out of the evil treasure 
of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil : for of the 
abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. [Faith 
brings into substance the law of sin and death or the 
spiritual law according to its use.] 

Luke 21: 33. Heaven and earth shall pass 
away [a consciousness of material things shall pass 
away] ; but my words shall net pass away. [The ideas 
of God shall live forever, by every word which pro- 
ceedeth from the mouth of God shall man live.] 

Ecc. 12: 3. In the day when the keepers of the 
house shall tremble, and the strong men [mortal, 
carnal mind] shall bow themselves, and the grinders 



Christ and Meaning of Life 261 

cease because they are few, and those that look out of 
the windows be darkened. 

John 8: 51, 54, 55. Verily, verily, I say unto 
you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. 

If I honour myself, my honour is nothing : it is my 
Father that honoureth me ; of whom ye [carnal minds] 
say, that he is your God : Yet ye [carnal law and minds] 
have not known him; but I know him: and if I should 
say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: 
but I know him, and keep his saying [spiritual law 
which has nothing to do with the law of nature or 
man's law]. 

Exodus 34: 12-14. Take heed to thyself, lest 
thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land 
whither thou goest [with the carnal mind], lest it be 
for a snare in the midst of thee : 

But ye shall destroy their altars [carnal law], break 
their images, and cut down their groves. 

For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, 
whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. [In the Old 
Testament these allusions to a God who has human 
qualities have crept in in many places and seem to be 
the result of the conception of Him which was then 
prevalent. They certainly conflict with other pas- 
sages in which a different idea of Him is given.] 

Psalm 44: 20, 21. If we have forgotten the 
name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a 
strange god [mortal sense]; Shall not God search 
this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart. 

Mark 11, 13-14, 20. And seeing a fig tree afar 
off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any- 
thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found 
nothing but leaves [material] ; for the time of figs was 
not yet [of a realization of man's true nature, its real 



262 Christian Science 

fruit.] And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man 
eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever [a sense of matter]. 
And his disciples heard it. 

And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the 
fig tree dried up from the roots. 

II. Cor. 3: 15. But even unto this day, when 
Moses is read, the vail [a sense of matter so that they 
do not perceive the spiritual meaning of the Scripture] 
is upon their heart. 

John 8: 23, 24, 43, 44, 45. And he said unto 
them. Ye are from beneath [mortal sense] ; I am from 
above [mind of Christ] : ye are of this world ; I am not 
of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye 
shall die in your sins : for if ye believe not that I am he 
[and vivify your mind which is of Christ], ye shall die 
in your sins [till you do you are dead in trespasses 
and sins]. Why do ye not understand my speech? [car- 
nal mind cannot understand God]; even because ye 
cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the 
devil [carnal mind], and the lusts of your father ye 
will do : he was a murderer from the beginning, and 
abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in 
him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own : 
for he is a liar, and the father of it [carnal mind a 
lie]. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me 
not. 

Ephesians4: 22. That ye put off concerning the 
former conversation the old man [carnal man], which 
is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts. 

Revelation 2: 5. Remember therefore from 
whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first 
works [spiritual] ; or else I will come unto thee quickly, 
and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, 
except thou repent. 



Christ and Meaning of Life 263 

Jeremiah 17: 5. Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be 
the man that trusteth in man [carnal mind], and 
maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth 
from the Lord, [from the spiritual law]. 

Romans i: 25. Who changed the truth of God 
into a lie [by injecting a false interpretation of God's 
plan into that plan by exercising faith in the direction 
of the perception of matter], and worshipped and 
served the creature [the body or carnal mind], more 
than the Creator [the true mind of man], who is 
blessed for ever. 

John 8: 34, 35, 36. Jesus answered them, 
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth 
sin [i.e., the carnal mind of man] is the servant of sin. 

And the servant [carnal mind of man] abideth not 
in the house for ever : but the Son [the mind of Christ 
in man] abideth ever. 

If the Son therefore shall make you free [from the 
perception of sin by the carnal mind or objective mind 
of man], ye shall be free indeed. 

Romans i: 23, And changed the glory of the 
uncorruptible God into an image [carnal mind, the 
body] made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and 
fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 

Romans 6: 16. Know ye not, that to whom ye 
yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are 
to whom ye obey; whether of sin [carnal mind] unto 
death, or of obedience unto righteousness [spiritual 
mind] ? 

Romans 13: 11. And that, knowing the time, 
that now it is high time to awake out of sleep [from 
a sense of material things]: for now is our salvation 
nearer than when we believed. 

IL Cor. 4: 3, 4. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid 



264 Christian Science 

to them that are lost : In whom the god of this world 
[mortal sense] hath blinded the minds of them which 
believe not [how plainer could it be said that our 
present inharmonious laws of nature are not God's 
laws?], lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ 
[spiritual sense and mind], who is the image of God, 
should shine unto them. 

Acts 17: 28, 29. For in hint we live, and move, 
and have our being: Forasmuch then as we are the 
offspring of God, we ought not to think that the God- 
head is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by- 
art and man's device [ix, the carnal law and man's 
idea of body (material)]. [In Him is no darkness at 
all.] 

John 5: 30. I can of mine own self do nothing: 
as I hear [from the spiritual law of God], I judge: and 
my judgment is just: because I seek not mine own 
will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. 
If I bear witness of myself [carnal mind alone testifies 
of itself alone; God testifies of the spiritual mind and 
law], my witness is not true. 

Romans 12: i, 2. I beseech you therefore, 
brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your 
bodies [your sense of matter] a living sacrifice, holy, 
acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 
And be not conformed to this world : but be ye trans- 
formed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may 
prove what is that goody and acceptable, and perfect 
will of God [no evil in that law]. 

Habakkuk 2: 18, 19. What profiteth the graven 
image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the 
molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of 
his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols 
[bodies made by men, according to biological theory] 'i 



Christ and Meaning of Life 265 

Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to 
the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is 
laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath 
at all in the midst of it. 

Romans i : 23. And changed the glory of the un- 
corruptible God into an image made like to corruptible 
man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping 
things [bodies made by man — biological theory]. 

Hebrews 3: 4. For every house is builded by 
some man; but he that built all things is God. [Have 
you noticed how often in the Bible *' temple" or 
'' house'' is used to signify the body?] 

II. Cor. 5: 4, 6, 8. For we that are in this 
tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we 
would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality 
might be swallowed up of life [consciousness]. 

Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, 
whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from 
the Lord [consciousness]. 

We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be 
absent from the body and to be present with the Lord 
[consciousness]. 

Romans 8: 12, 13. Therefore, brethren, we are 
debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye 
through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, 
ye shall live. 

11. Cor. 5: 1-4. For we know that, if our earthly 
house [carnal mind and carnal body] of this taber- 
nacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a 
house [God's idea or body (perfect)] not made with 
hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this [knowledge 
of matter, carnal body] we groan, earnestly desiring 
to be clothed upon with our house which is from 



266 Christian Science 

heaven [God*s idea or body]. If so be that being 
clothed we shall not be found naked. [Remember 
Adam and Eve did not know that they were naked 
till they had a sense of matter]. For we that are in 
this tabernacle do groan, being burdened : not for that 
we would be unclothed [destroyed], but clothed upon, 
that mortality might be swallowed up of life [mortal 
mind swallowed up of spiritual mind]. 

Rev. 2: 10. Fear none of those things which 
thou shalt suffer : behold, the devil [carnal mind] shall 
cast some of you into prison [mortal sense], that ye 
may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days 
[continuity of life]: be thou faithful unto death [of 
mortal sense and carnal law], and I will give thee a 
crown of life [consciousness of eternal life]. 

Rev. II: 15. And the seventh angel sounded; 
and there were great voices in heaven, saying. The 
kingdoms of this world [carnal law] are become the 
kingdoms of our Lord [spiritual law], and of his Christ 
[mind] ; and he shall reign for ever and ever [in man] 
[the consciousness of men]. 

Deut. 7: 17, 18. If thou shalt say in thine heart, 
These nations are more than I [carnal mind more than 
spiritual mind]; how can I dispossess them? Thou 
shalt not be afraid of them : but shalt well remember 
what the Lord thy God did unto Pharaoh, and unto 
all Egypt [sense of carnal law is often indicated by 
Egypt or Egyptians in the Bible]. 

Deut. 15: 9, 10. Beware that there be not a 
thought in thy wicked heart [carnal mind], saying, 
The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand ; and 
thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou 
givest him nought; and he cry unto the Lord against 
thee, and it be sin unto thee. 



Christ and Meaning of Life 267 

Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall 
not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because 
that for this thing the Lord thy God shall bless thee in 
all thy works, and in all that thou put test thine hand 
unto. 

Job 8: II. Can the rush grow up without mire? 
can the flag grow without water? [By carnal 
law, no.] 

Micah 4: II, 12. Now also many nations are 
gathered against thee, that say, Let her be defiled, 
and let our eye look upon Zion. But they k7iow 
not the thoughts of the Lord [carnal minds cannot 
comprehend God], neither understand they his 
counsel: for he shall gather them as the sheaves 
into the floor. 

Matt. 19: 23. Then said Jesus unto his dis- 
ciples. Verily, I say unto you. That a rich man [rich 
in perception of material things, not rich as we use 
the word, necessarily] shall hardly enter into the 
kingdom of heaven. 

Luke 6: 45. A good man [spiritual mind] out 
of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that 
which is good ; and an evil man [carnal mind] out of the 
evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is 
evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth 
speaketh. 

[Where your treasure is there will your heart be 
also.] 

[Please try to interpret the three ensuing verses (i) 
on the ordinarily accepted theory of consciousness 
and {2) on the theory of consciousness set forth in 
this book. Do this for yourself and see into which 
theory the words of Jesus quoted fit the best :] 

John 9: 39, 40, 41. And Jesus said, For judg- 



268 Christian Science 

ment I am come into this world, that they which see 
not might see ; and that they which see might be made 
bUnd. 

And some of the Pharisees which were with him 
heard these words, and said unto him, Are we bHnd 
also? 

Jesus said unto them, Ij ye were blind, ye should have 
no sin: but now ye say. We see; therefore your sin 

REMAINETH. 

Amos. 2: 4, 14, 16. Thus saith the Lord; For 
three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not 
turn away the punishment thereof ; because they have 
despised the law of the Lord, and have not kept his 
commandments, and their lies caused them to err, 
after the which their fathers have walked : 

Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift 
[carnal mind], and the strong shall not strengthen his 
force, neither shall the mighty deliver himself: 

And he that is courageous among the mighty 
[carnal mind] shall flee away naked in that day, 
saith the Lord. 

Col. 3: 5, 6. Mortify therefore your members 
which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, in- 
ordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetous- 
ness, which is idolatry : 

For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on 
the children of disobedience. 

Amos 8: 4-6, 11. Hear this, O ye that swallow 
up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fall. 

Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we 
may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth 
wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, 
and falsifying the balances by deceit [sounds natural 
like 'Hhe law of nature'' does it not?]? 



Christ and Meaning of Life 269 

That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy 
for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the 
wheat? 

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I 
will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, 
nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the 
Lord. 

II. Pet. 2: 12. But these, as natural brute 
beasts made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of 
the things that they understand not ; and shall utterly 
perish in their own corruption: 

Amos 5: I, 25-27. Hear ye this word which I 
take up against you, even a lamentation, house of 
Israel. 

Have ye offered unto me sacrifices and offerings in 
the wilderness forty years, house of Israel? 

But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch 
and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which 
ye made to yourselves [material body]. 

Therefore will I cause you to go into captivity 
beyond Damascus, saith the Lord, whose name is The 
God of hosts. 

Matt. 23: 38. Behold, your house is left unto 
you desolate. 

Rev. 3: 17, 18. Because thou sayest, I am rich, 
and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; 
and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable^ 
and poor, and blind, and naked: 

I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, 
that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that 
thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy 
nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes 
with eyesalve, that thou mayest see [with spiritual 
mind]. 



270 Christian Science 

Psalms 36: 1-3. The transgression of the wicked 
saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God 
before his eyes. 

For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his 
iniquity be found to be hateful. 

The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit : he 
hath left off to be wise, and to do good. 

Rom. 8: 15-19. For ye have not received the 
spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have re- 
ceived the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, 
Father. 

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, 
that we are the children of God; 

And if children, then heirs ; heirs of God, and joint 
heirs with Christ ; if so be that we suffer with him, that 
we may be also glorified together. 

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time 
are not worthy to be compared with the glory which 
shall be revealed in us. 

For the earnest expectation of the creature [carnal 
mind] waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of 
God. 

Isaiah 50: 10. Who is among you that feareth 
the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, 
that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let 
him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon 
his God. 

Job 15: 14. What is man, that he should be 
clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he 
should be righteous ? 

Psalms 39: 5. Behold, thou hast made my 
days as a handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing 
before thee: verily every man at his best state is 
altogether vanity. Selah. 



I 



Christ and Meaning of Life 271 

Job 25: 4. How then can man be justified with 
God? or how can he be clean that is born of a 
woman ? 

Isaiah 10: i. Woe unto them that decree un- 
righteous decrees, and that write grievousness which 
they have prescribed. 



SPIRITUAL LIFE 

Jeremiah 31: 33, 34. After those days, saith 
the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts 
[the spiritual law], and write it in their hearts; and 
will be their God, and they shall be my people. And 
they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and 
every man his brother, saying. Know the Lord: for 
they shall know me, from the least of them unto the 
greatest of them, saith the Lord : for I will forgive their 
iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. 

Zechariah 4: 6. Then he answered and spake 
unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto 
Zerubbabel, saying. Not by might, nor by power, but 
by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. 

Matt. 22: 35-38. Then one of them, which was 
a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and 
saying, Master, which is the great commandment in 
the law? Jesus said unto him. Thou shalt love the 
Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy 
soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great 
commandment. [Why — because only thus can man 
be freed from the carnal law and rise in consciousness 
to know the spiritual law of his higher mind.] 

John 3: 6, 8. That which is born of the Spirit 
is spirit. 

The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest 
the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, 

272 



Christ and Meaning of Life 273 

and whither it goeth : so is everyone that is born of the 
Spirit [the material senses cannot apprehend spirit]. 

Psalm I: i, 2, 3, 6. Blessed is the man that 
walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly [carnal 
law], nor standeth in the way of sinners [nor sin, 
disease, and death, man's law], nor sitteth in the seat 
of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the 
Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 

r Walketh ^ 
[ < standeth >- progression toward inaction,] 
V. sitteth 3 

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of 
water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his 
leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth 
shall prosper. 

For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous : but 
the way of the ungodly shall perish [carnal law, 
carnal minds, in the end will be seen to be nothing 
and The Christ Mind and law will rule man]. 

Psalm 107: 8, 9. Oh that men would praise the 
Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to 
the children of men! For he satisfieth the longing 
soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. 

Psalm 112: 4. Unto the upright there ariseth light 
in the darkness [spirit, in the false sense of matter]. 

Proverbs 4: 20-22. My son, attend to my words; 
incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not 
depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of 
thine heart. For they are life unto those that find 
them, and health to all their flesh. 

Proverbs 8: 20, 21. I lead in the way of right- 
eousness [spiritual law which has absolutely nothing 
to do with man's law which is ''foolishness to God"], 
in the midst of the paths of judgment: That I may 
18 



274 Christian Science 

cause those that love me to inherit substance [spirit- 
ual, real substance]; and I will fill their treasures. 

Isaiah 6o: i, 2, and 19, 20. Arise, shine; for 
thy light is come [the mind of Christ], and the glory 
of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the dark- 
ness [a sense of matter] shall cover the earth, and gross 
darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon 
thee [mind of Christ], and his glory shall be seen upon 
thee. 

The sun shall be no more [matter as a source of 
light shall not be known] thy light by day ; neither for 
brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but 
the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and 
thy God thy glory. Thy sun shall no more go down ; 
neither shall thy moon withdraw itself : for the Lord 
shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy 
mourning shall be ended. 

Isaiah 65: 17. For, behold, I create new 
heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not 
be remembered, nor come into mind [consciousness]. 

Jeremiah 7:3, 7. Thus saith the Lord of hosts, 
the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, 
and I will cause you to dwell in this place [mind of 
Christ]. Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, 
in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and 
ever. 

John 4: 23. But the hour cometh, and now is, 
when the true worshippers [the mind of Christ] shall 
worship the Father in spirit and in truth [without 
knowledge of carnal law and mind] : for the Father 
seeketh such to worship him. 

John 6: 33, 51. The bread of God is he which 
cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the 
world. 



Christ and Meaning of Life 275 

I am the living bread [spiritual mind] which came 
down from heaven [the knowledge of the nothingness 
of matter exemplified by the Christ life] : if any man 
eat of this bread [spiritual law], he shall live for ever: 
and the bread that I will give is my flesh [through 
crucifying my flesh, I teach that carnal law is no law 
and show the way to spiritual consciousness], which I 
will give for the life of the world. 

Exodus 33: 14. And he said. My presence [the 
mind of Christ], shall go with thee, and I will give thee 
rest. 

Exodus 34: 10. And he said. Behold, I make a 
covenant [spiritual law, not material law] : before all 
thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been 
done in all the earth, nor in any nation. 

Psalm 119: 165. Great peace have they which 
love thy law : and nothing shall offend them. 

Jeremiah 29: 8, 11, 12, 13. For thus saith the 
Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your pro- 
phets and your diviners [carnal minds], that be in the 
midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your 
dreams which ye cause to be dreamed. For I know 
the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, 
thoughts of peace y and not of evil, to give you an 
expected end [expected through carnal law which 
works retribution and not love and correction unto 
perfection]. 

Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and 
pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye 
shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for 
me with all your heart [both minds as one]. 

Job 19: 25-27. For I know that my Redeemer 
liveth [mind of Christ], and that he shall stand at the 
latter day upon the earth [in my consciousness] : And 



276 Christian Science 

though after my skin worms destroy this body 
[though I appear to die and have not now a conscious- 
ness of continuous life], yet in my flesh [in God's idea 
of a body, uncorrupted by carnal law], shall I see God: 
Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall 
behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed 
within me. 

Psalm 43: 3. send out thy light and thy 
truth : let them lead me ; let them bring me unto thy 
holy hill [consciousness of God], and to thy taber- 
nacles [God's idea of body]. 

Isaiah 2:5. O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us 
walk in the light of the Lord. 



1 1 



li 



MORTAL LIFE 

Psalm 8i: 12-14. So I gave them up unto their 
own hearts' lust [carnal consciousness and law] : and 
they walked in their own [plainly stated as not 
God's law] [carnal law not God's law] counsels. Oh, 
that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel 
had walked in my ways ! I should soon have subdued 
their enemies [false perception of evil], and turned my 
hand against their adversaries. 

Jeremiah 51: 37. Babylon [mortal consciousness], 
shall become heaps, a dwelling place for dragons, an 
astonishment, and a hissing, without an inhabitant. 

Ezekiel 30: 3, 4, 19. For the day is near, even 
the day of the Lord is near, a cloudy day; it shall be 
the time of the heathen. And the sword shall come 
upon Egypt [mortal sense], and great pain shall be in 
Ethiopia, when the slain shall fall in Egypt, and they 
shall take away her multitude, and her foimdations 
shall be broken down [carnal law is the foundation 
of mortal carnal life, and is foolishness to God]. 

Thus will I execute judgments in Egypt [mortal 
consciousness]: and they shall know that I am the 
Lord. 

Job 19: 7, 8. Behold, I cry out of wrong [carnal 
mind], but i am not heard [a belief in carnal law 
meets no response of God] : I cry aloud, but there is 
no judgment. 

277 



278 Christian Science 

He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass, and 
he hath set darkness in my paths ["He*' — carnal 
mind, NOT God]. 

Job 24: 12, 13. Men groan from out of the 
city [mortal minds], and the soul of the wounded 
crieth out: yet God layeth not folly to them [they 
know not what they do]. They are of those that rebel 
against the light [loving darkness, a perception of 
matter, evil]; they know not the ways thereof, nor 
abide in the paths thereof. 

Job 29: I, 2, 3. Moreover Job continued his 
parable, and said, Oh that I were as in months past, 
as in the days when God preserved me ; 

When his candle shined upon my head, and when 
by his light I walked through darkness [darkness — 
nothing; is not where there is light]. 

Job 37: 19. Teach us what we shall say unto 
him [to carnal mind] ; for we cannot order our speech 
by reason of darkness [a perception or consciousness 
of matter and evil]. 

Ecc. i: 14, 15. I have seen all the works that 
are done under the sun [material sun]; and, behold, 
all is vanity and vexation of spirit. That which is 
crooked camiot be made straight: and that which is 
wanting cannot be nimibered. [You cannot ulti- 
mately work out salvation through carnal law.] 

Ecc. 2: 4-13. I made me great works; [carnal 
law is always wrong] : I builded me houses ; I planted 
me vineyards: I made me gardens and orchards, and 
I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruits: I made 
me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that 
bringeth forth trees : I got me servants and maidens, 
and had servants born in my house; also I had great 
possessions of great and small cattle above all that 



Christ and Meaning of Life 279 

were in Jerusalem before me : I gathered me also silver 
and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of 
the provinces: I gat me men singers and women sing- 
ers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical 
instruments, and that of all sorts. 

So I was great, and increased more than all that 
were before me in Jerusalem : also my wisdom [carnal 
law, ''foolishness to God''] remained with me. And 
whatsoever mine eyes desired [carnal mind] I kept 
not from them, I withheld not my heart from any 
joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this 
was my portion of all my labour. 

Then I looked on all the works that my hands had 
wrought [carnal law made by man in the counsel of 
years], and on the labour that I had laboured to do: 
and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and 
there was no profit under the sun [the material sun]. 

And I turned myself to behold wisdom [foolishness 
to God], and madness, and folly [that kind of wisdom 
is madness and folly; carnal law; think this over; can 
it be more plainly stated that man's so-called wisdom 
{^foolishness with God?] : for what can the man do that 
Cometh after the king [God has done it already]; 
even that which hath been already done? Then I 
saw that wisdom [true wisdom] excelleth folly, as far 
as light excelleth darkness [darkness equals a percep- 
tion of matter]. 

Psalm 6: 4, 5. Return, Lord, deliver my soul: 
oh save me for thy mercies' sake. For in death 
[carnal law and mind] there is no remembrance of 
thee : in the grave [ye are dead in trespasses and sins] 
who shall give thee thanks? 

Psalm 82 : 5, 6. All the foundations of the 
earth are out of course [carnal law]. I have said, Ye 



28o Christian Science 

are gods [carnal mind most certainly is not] ; and all 
of you are children of the Most High [spiritual mind, 
the Mind of Christ]. 

Isaiah 24: 4, 5. The earth mourneth and fadeth 
away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the 
haughty people [carnal minds] of the earth do lan- 
guish. The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants 
thereof [carnal law]; because they have transgressed 
the laws, changed the ordinance [carnal law is not 
God*s law, God's law has not been understood by 
man], broken the everlasting covenant. 
i 17. Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, 
O inhabitant of the earth. [Again can it be more 
plainly stated that the carnal law is foolishness to 
God?] 

Jeremiah 2 : 26, 27, 28. As the thief is ashamed 
when he is found [carnal minds uncovered and their 
law exposed as no law], so is the house of Israel 
ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, and their 
priests, and their prophets. Saying to a stock. Thou 
art my Father [material law which has caused men to 
be born by material means is not God's law] ; and to a 
stone. Thou hast brought me forth: for they have 
turned their back unto me [pulled down the shades] 
[turned from the light], and not their face [mind of 
Christ] : but in the time of their trouble they will say, 
Arise, and save us. But where are thy gods that 
thou hast made thee? [Where is the law which is 
"foolishness with God?''] let them arise, if they can 
save thee in the time of thy trouble [carnal law] : for 
according to the number of thy cities [each man wor- 
shipping his own carnal sense] are thy gods, O Judah. 

Jeremiah 6: 16. Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye 
in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths [spiri- 



Christ and Meaning of Life 281 

tual law], where is the good way, and walk therein, and 
ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We 
will not walk therein [made their own carnal law which 
includes all ^^ Material' * understanding]. 

Rev. 20: 14. And death [mortal sense] and hell 
[mortal suffering] were cast into the lake of fire 
[became nothing in consciousness through spiritual 
perception]. This is the second death [the first 
being our present material perception]. 



CURE OF SICKNESS AND OTHER MIRACLES UNDER THE 
SPIRITUAL LAW 

John 14: 12. He that believeth [lives with the 
mind of Christ] on me, the works that I do shall he 
do also; and greater works than these shall he do; 
because I go unto my Father. 

Acts 26: 4, 5, 8, 24-26. My manner of life from 
my youth, which was at the first among mine own 
nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; Which 
knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, 
that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived 
a Pharisee. 

8. Why should it be thought a thing incredible 
with you, that God [or the Son of God : Jesus Christ or 
any other who lives in Him and is subject not to the 
law of sin and death but to the law of the spirit] 
should raise the dead? 

24. And as he thus spake for himself, Festus 
said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thy 
self; much learning doth make thee mad. But he 
said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak 
forth the words of truth and soberness. For the 
king knoweth of these things, before whom also I 
speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these 
things are hidden from him; for this thing was not 
done in a corner. 

Matt. 9: 4-8. And Jesus knowing their thoughts 

282 



Christ and Meaning of Life 283 

said, Wherefore think ye evil [material thoughts 
of carnal law] in your hearts? For whether is 
easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, 
Arise, and walk? But that ye may know that the 
Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then 
saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy 
bed, and go unto thine house. And he arose, and 
departed to his house. But when the multitudes saw 
it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given 
such power unto men. [Sin and sickness the same to 
Jesus.] 

John 10: 30, 37, 38. I and my Father are one. 

If I do not the works of my Father [the spiritual 
law], believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe 
not me, believe the works [he that believeth on me, 
the works that I do shall he do also — because he will 
be no longer subject to the carnal law] : that ye may 
know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in 
him. [In Him we live, and move, and have our 
being.] 

Philippians 4: 13. I can do all things through 
Christ [mind of Christ in me] which strengtheneth me. 
[Do you believe this?] 

Matt. 17: 14-21. And when they were come to 
the multitude, there came to him a certain man, 
kneeling down to him, and saying. Lord, have mercy 
on my son; for he is lunatic, and sore vexed: and I 
brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure 
him. Then Jesus answered and said, faithless and 
perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? 
how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. 
And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of 
him; and the child was cured from that very hour. 
Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, 



284 Christian Science 

Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said 
unto them, Because of your unbelief; for verily I 
say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard 
seed [in the highest mind, the only begotten son, the 
law of the spirit of Jesus Christ], ye shall say unto this 
mountain. Remove hence to yonder place; and it 
shall remove: and nothing shall be impossible unto 
you. 

Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer 
[communion with God through the Christ Mind] and 
fasting [from all material perceptions]. 

Jeremiah 30: 17. For I will restore health unto 
thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the 
Lord; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, 
This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after [mortal 
life.] 

Joel 2: 28, 32. And it shall come to pass after- 
ward, that I will pour out my Spirit [the mind which 
is in Christ] upon all flesh; and your sons and your 
daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream 
dreams, your young men shall see visions: And it shall 
come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of 
the Lord [the mind of Christ communing with God] 
shall be delivered. 

Matt. 8: 13. And Jesus said unto the centurion, 
Go thy way ; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto 
thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame 
hour. 

Matt. 21 : 14. And the blind and the lame came to 
him to the temple; and he healed them. 

Luke 7: 50. And he said to the woman. Thy 
faith hath saved thee; go in peace [the substance of 
things hoped for exercised toward the mind of Christ 
in each man]. 



Christ and Meaning of Life 285 

Matt. 10: I. And when he had called unto him 
his twelve disciples, he gave them power against un- 
clean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner 
of sickness and all manner of disease. 

Matt. 10: 7, 8. And as ye go, preach, saying, 
The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, 
and cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils : 
freely ye have received, freely give. 

Matt. 12: 22. Then was brought unto him one 
possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb : and he healed 
him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake 
and saw. 

Luke 4: 40. Now when the sun was setting, all 
they that had any sick with divers diseases brought 
them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of 
them and healed them. 

[He that believeth on me the works that I do shall 
he do also.] 

Luke 5: 12. And it came to pass, when he was 
in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy : 

13. And he put forth his hand, and touched him, 
saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the 
leprosy departed from him. 

Luke 6: 6. And it came to pass also on another 
sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and 
taught: and there was a man whose right hand was 
withered. 

10. And looking round about upon them all, he 
said unto the man. Stretch forth thy hand. And 
he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the 
other. 

Luke 7: 14, 15. And he came and touched the 
bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, 
Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was 



286 Christian Science 

dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered 
him to his mother. 

50. And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath 
saved thee [the substance of things hoped for exer- 
cised toward the mind of Christ in each man] ; go in 
peace. 

Luke 8: 24, 47. And they came to him, and 
awoke him, saying. Master, master, we perish. Then 
he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the 
water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. 

And when the woman saw that she was not hid, 
she came trembling, and falling down before him, she 
declared unto him before all the people for what cause 
she had touched him, and how she was healed im- 
mediately. 

Luke 9:1, 6. Then he called his twelve disciples 
together, and gave them power and authority over all 
devils, and to cure diseases. 

And they departed, and went through the towns, 
preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere. 

John 5: 8, 9. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up 
thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was 
made whole, and took up his bed, and walked : 

John II: 44. And he that was dead came forth, 
bound hand and foot with graveclothes ; and his face 
was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto 
them, Loose him, and let him go. 

John 15:7. If y^ abide in me, and my words abide 
in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done 
unto you, [Do you believe this?] 

John 14: 12. He that believeth on me [lives with the 
mind of Christ], the works that I do shall he do also; and 
greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my 
father. 



Christ and Meaning of Life 287 

Acts 8 : 7. And many taken with palsies, and that 
were lame, were healed. 

Acts 14: 8, 10. And there sat a certain man at 
Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his 
mother's womb, who never had walked. Paul said 
with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he 
leaped and walked. 

Acts 28: 3, 4, 5. And when Paul had gathered a 
bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came 
a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 
And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast 
hang on his hand, they said among themselves. No 
doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath 
escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. 
And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no 
harm. [Do you think God would ever negative his 
own eternal laws? Could you believe in a God who 
could ?] 

I. Cor. 3 : 19-20. For the wisdom of this world [carnal 
law is not God's law] is foolishness with God: for it is 
written, he taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And 
again, the Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that 
they are vain. [See if you get a connection between the 
two preceding.] 

Philippians 4: 13. I can do all things through 
Christ [the mind of Christ within me] which strength- 
eneth me. 

Hebrews 4: 12. The word of God is quick, and 
powerful, and sharper thaii any two-edged sword, 
piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and 
spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner 
of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 

James 5:15, 17, 18. And the prayer of faith shall 
save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and 



288 Christian Science 

if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 
[A Christian Science treatment is prayer, nothing more 
and nothing less. 

17. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we 
are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: 
and it rained not on the earth by the space of three 
years and six months. And he prayed again, and the 
heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. 

I. Kings 17: 17. And it came to pass after these 
things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the 
house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that 
there was no breath left in him. 

22, And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and 
the soul of the child came into him again, and he 
revived. 

23. And Elijah took the child, and brought him 
down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered 
him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son 
liveth. 

II. Chronicles 16: 12, 13. And Asa in the thirty 
and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, 
until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease 
he sought not to the Lord, hut to the physicians. 

And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one 
and fortieth year of his reign. 

Psalm 78: 12-14. Marvellous things did he in the 
sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the 
field of Zoan. He divided the sea, and caused them 
to pass through; and he made the waters to stand as 
a heap. In the daytime also he led them with a 
cloud, and all the night with a light of fire. 

Psalm 78: 17-22. And they sinned yet more 
against him by provoking the Most High in the 
wilderness. And they tempted God in their heart 



Christ and Meaning of Life 289 

by asking meat [material instead of spiritual food; 
man shall not live by bread alone] for their lust, [No 
man is tempted of God; he is led away of his own lust 
and deceived.] 

Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God 
furnish a table in the wilderness? Behold, he smote 
the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams 
overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide 
flesh for his people? Therefore the Lord heard this, 
and was wroth : because they believed not in God, and 
trusted not in his salvation. 

Psalm 91 : 5-7. Thou shalt not be afraid for the 
terror by night ; nor for the arrow that flieth by day. 

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness ; nor 
for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A 
thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at 
thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. 

Acts 8: 7. For unclean spirits, crying with loud 
voice, came out of many that were possessed with 
them: and many taken with palsies, and that were 
lame, were healed. 
19 



CARNAL LAW 

I. John 2: i6. For all that is in the world, the 
lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride 
of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. [How 
plainer could it be stated that the carnal law is 
foolishness to God and is man's law not God's?] 

I. Cor. 3: 19, 20. For the wisdom, of this world 
[carnal law is not God's law] is foolishness with God: 
for it is written. He taketh the wise in their own 
craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the 
thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. 

II. Cor. 4: 17, 18. For our light affliction [mortal 
sense], which is but for a moment [in the totality 
of time], worketh for us a far more exceeding and 
eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the 
things which are seen [carnal sense], but at the things 
which are not seen : for the things which are seen are 
temporal; but the things which are not seen are 
eternal [spiritual law]. 

John 17: 23, 25. I in them, and thou in me, that 
they may be made perfect in one [one mind. '*In 
him we live, and move, and have our being*']; and 
that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and 
hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. O righteous 
Father, the world [carnal law and mind] hath not 

290 



Christ and Meaning of Life 291 

known thee: but I [the mind of Christ] have known 
thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. 

Job 18: 21. Surely such are the dwellings [carnal 
minds] of the wicked, and this is the place of him 
that knoweth not God. [Carnal law is not known to 
God and he has nothing to do with it.] 

Job 19: 7, 8. Behold, I cry out of wrong [carnal 
mind], but I am not heard [a belief in carnal law 
meets no response of God]: I cry aloud, but there 
is no judgment. 

He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass, and 
he hath set darkness in my paths. [''He*' — carnal 
mind, not God.] 

Job 20: 22. In the fulness of his sufficiency [the 
"wisdom" which is foolishness to God] he shall be 
in straits : every hand of the wicked shall come upon 
him. 

Psalm 82: 5, 6. All the foundations of the earth 
are out of course [carnal law]. I have said. Ye are 
gods [carnal mind most certainly is not] ; and all of 
you are children of the Most High [spiritual mind, 
the Mind of Christ]. 

Isaiah 24: 4, 5. The earth moumeth and fadeth 
away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the 
haughty people [carnal minds] of the earth do languish. 
The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof 
[carnal law] ; because they have transgressed the laws, 
changed the ordinance [carnal law is not God's law, 
God's law has been not understood by man], broken the 
everlasting covenant. 

17. Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, 
inhabitant of the earth. [Again can it be more 
plainly stated that the carnal law is foolishness with 
God?] 



292 Christian Science 

Jeremiah 2: 26, 27, 28. As the thief is ashamed 
when he is found [carnal minds uncovered and their 
law exposed as no law], so is the house of Israel 
ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, and their 
priests, and their prophets. Saying to a stock, Thou 
art my Father [material law which has caused men 
to be bom by material means is not God's law]; and to 
a stone. Thou hast brought me forth: for they have 
turned their back unto me [pulled down the shades] 
[turned from the light], and not their face [mind of 
Christ] ; but in the time of their trouble they will say, 
Arise, and save us. But where are thy gods that thou 
hast made thee [Where is the law which is ''foolish- 
ness with God'*]? let them arise, if they can save thee 
in the time of thy trouble [carnal law] : for according 
to the number of thy cities [each man worshipping his 
own carnal sense] are thy gods, Judah. 

Jeremiah 3: 21. A voice was heard upon the high 
places, weeping and supplications of the children of 
Israel: for they have perverted their way [carnal law], 
and they have forgotten the Lord their God. 

Jeremiah 6: 16. Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in 
the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths [spiritual 
law], where is the good way, and walk therein, and 
ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said. We 
will not walk therein [made their own carnal law, 
which includes all ''Material'' understanding]. 

Jeremiah 9: 23, 24. Thus saith the Lord, Let 
not the wise man glory in his wisdom [carnal law 
which is not God's law], neither let the mighty man 
glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his 
riches [perception of material things]: But let him 
that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and 
knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving- 



Christ and Meaning of Life 293 

kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: 
jor in these things I delight, saith the Lord [not in 
suffering, which is a product of man's own law]. 

Jeremiah 29: 8, 11, 12, 13. For thus saith the Lord 
of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets 
and your diviners [carnal minds], that be in the 
midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your 
dreams which ye cause to be dreamed. For I know 
the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, 
thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an 
expected end [expected, — through carnal law which 
works retribution and not love and correction unto 
perfection]. 

Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and 
pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye 
shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for 
me with all your heart [both minds as one]. 

John 3: 3, 6. Jesus answered and said unto him, 
Verily, verily I say unto thee. Except a man be born 
again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. That 
which is bom of the flesh is flesh [material law is of 
man, not of God]. 

John 17:25. O righteous Father, the world [car- 
nal law] hath not known thee [carnal law, not of God]; 
but I have known thee, and these have known that 
thou hast sent me. 

Job 3 : 20. Wherefore is light [truth] given to him 
that is in misery [carnal mind], and life unto the 
bitter in soul [carnal sense]. 

Isaiah 8: 19, 20. And when they shall say unto 
you. Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and 
unto wizards that peep and that mutter: should not 
a people seek unto their God ? for the living to the 
dead? 



294 Christian Science 

To the law and to the testimony [of sense] : if they 
speak not according to this word, it is because there is 
no light in them [carnal law is not God's law]. 

Romans i : 25. Who changed the truth of God into 
a lie [by injecting a false interpretation of God's 
plan into that plan by exercising faith in the direction 
of the perception of matter], and worshipped and 
served the creature [the body or carnal mind] more 
than the Creator [the true mind of man], who is 
blessed for ever. 

Romans i : 23. And changed the glory of the un- 
corruptible God into an image [carnal mind, the body] 
made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four- 
footed beasts, and creeping things. 

I. Cor. 15: 56. The sting of death [sense of death] is 
sin [sense of matter] [mortal sense]; and the strength of 
sin is the law [carnal law which is not God's law], [How 
plainer can it be stated? Could God's law be the 
strength of sin ?] [Please review what was said in text 
regarding the loss of material things being the sting of 
death,] 

Romans 8 : 6. For to be carnally minded is death. 

8. So then they that are in the flesh [in the sense 
of matter] cannot please God [because the carnal law 
is not God's law]. 

II. Cor. 4: 3, 4. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid 
to them that are lost: In whom the god of this 
world [mortal sense] hath blinded the minds of them 
which believe not [how plainer could it be said that 
our present inharmonious laws of nature are not God's 
laws?], lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, 
[spiritual sense and mind], who is the image of God, 
should shine unto them. 

I. Cor. 3: 19. For the wisdom of this world [car- 



Christ and Meaning of Life 295 

nal law] is foolishness with God : for it is written, He 
taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 

20. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of 
the wise [in carnal law, physics, chemistry, germs, etc., 
as we know them, yet underneath is the truth; under- 
neath are the everlasting arms], that they are vain. 

Acts 17: 28, 29. For in him we live, and move, 
and have our being; Forasmuch then as we are the 
offspring of God, we ought not to think that the God- 
head is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by 
art and man's device [i.e., the body]. 

[Is it not evident that the Bible teaches that there 
is another law, and that what we have called the law of 
nattire is not the law of God, or a law that we need be 
subject to except as we (mankind) have made our- 
selves subject to it?] 

Romans i: 23. And changed the glory of the 
uncorruptible God into an image made like to cor- 
ruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, 
and creeping things [bodies made by man — biological 
theory]. 

Hebrews 3: 4. For every house is builded by 
some man; but he that built all things is God. [Have 
you noticed how often in the Bible ''temple'* or 
*' house" is used to signify the body?] 

II. Samuel 22: 3, 4, 6, 7. The God of my rock; in 
him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my 
salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; 
thou savest me from violence [carnal law]. I will 
call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall 
I be saved from mine enemies. 

The sorrows of hell compassed me about [sense]; 
the snares of death [carnal law, which is not God's 
law] prevented me. 



296 Christian Science 

In my distress I called upon the Lord [spiritual 
law], and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice 
out of his temple [proceeding from the Christ mind 
within me], and my cry did enter into his ears. 

James 5: 15. And the prayer of faith shall save the 
sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have 
committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 

Job 8: II. Can the rush grow up without 
mire? can the flag grow without water? [By carnal 
law, no.] 

Amos 8: 4-6, 11. Hear this, O ye that swallow 
up the needy, even to make the poor of the land 
to fail. 

Saying, When will the new moon be gone [does this 
sound natural?], that we may sell com? and the 
sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the 
ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying 
the balances by deceit? 

That we may buy the poor for silver, and the 
needy for a pair of shoes ; yea, and sell the refuse of 
the wheat? 

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I 
will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, 
nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the 
Lord, 

Daniel 3: 17. If it be so, our God whom we serve 
is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace 
[carnal law], and he will deliver us out of thine hand, 
O king. 

Isaiah 10: I. Woe unto them that decree unright- 
eous decrees, and that write grievousness which they 
have prescribed. 



LAW OF CHRIST 

Matt. 4:4. It is written, Man shall not live by 
bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out 
of the mouth of God [ideas of God]. 

II. Cor. 10: 4, 5. [For the weapons of our warfare 
are not carnal [carnal mind], but mighty through God 
to the pulling down of strong holds] [strong men, 
i.e, carnal minds]; Casting down imaginations, and 
every high thing that exalteth itself [the carnal law; 
the wisdom of men, which is foolishness with God] 
against the knowledge of God, and bringing into 
captivity [ix,, to the mind which is in Christ; the only 
begotten Son, in each and every man] every thought 
[every thought of the carnal mind] to the obedience 
of Christ. 

Jeremiah 9: 23, 24. Thus saith the Lord, Let not 
the wise man [carnal mind] glory in his wisdom [car- 
nal law], neither let the mighty man [see Ecc. 12: 3] 
[carnal mind] glory in his might, let not the rich man 
[rich in a perception of material things] glory in his 
riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he 
understandeth [state of consciousness] and knoweth 
me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving-kindness, 
judgment, and righteousness, in the earth [the true 
earth, God's idea] ; for in these things I delight, saith 
the Lord. 

297 



298 Christian Science 

Daniel 2: 20-22. Daniel answered and said, 
Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever; for 
wisdom and might are his : And he changeth the times 
and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up 
kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge 
to them that know understanding: He revealeth the 
deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the 
darkness [i.e.^ what really exists in our senses and 
what does not], and the light [truth] dwelleth with him. 

Matt. 6: 24, 31-33. No man can serve two mas- 
ters [mortal and spiritual mind]: for either he will 
hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold 
to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve 
God and mammon. [See remarks about those who 
take an extreme though a wrong attitude.] 

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we 
eat? or. What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall 
we be clothed? (For after all these things do the 
Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth 
that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first 
the kingdom of God [spiritual consciousness], and his 
righteousness ; and all these things shall be added unto 
you [in sufficient quantity]. 

Matt. 10: 7. And as you go, preach, saying, The 
kingdom of heaven is at hand [consciousness of God 
through the Only begotten Son within each man]. 

Matt. 15: 36, 37. And he took the seven loaves 
and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and 
gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multi- 
tude. And they did all eat, and were filled; and they 
took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets 
full. [God's children have their needs supplied.] 

Matt. 17: 21. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but 
by prayer and fasting [from all material perceptions]. 



Christ and Meaning of Life 299 

Matt. 19: 16, 17, 20, 21. Behold, one came and 
said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall 
I do, that I may have eternal life [a consciousness 
of God] ? And he said unto him, Why callest me good? 
there is none good but one, that is, God; but if thou 
wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 

The young man saith unto him, All these things 
have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 
Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and 
sell that thou hast [your sense of material things], 
and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in 
heaven; and come and follow me. 

Amos 9: 13, 15. Behold, the days come, saith the 
Lord, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, 
and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and 
the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills 
shall melt. And I will plant them upon their land, 
and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land 
which I have given them, saith the Lord thy God. 
[Rather mixed from the point of view of the carnal 
law, is it not ? Try to apply it to God's spiritual ideas.) 

I. Cor. 3: 19, 20. For the wisdom of this world 
[the carnal law; all that is evil; matter, germs, and 
sickness included] is foolishness with God : for it is 
written. He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 
And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the 
wise, that they are vain. 

Zechariah 4: 6. Then he answered and spake 
unto me, saying. This is the word of the Lord unto 
Zerubbabel, saying. Not by might, nor by power, but 
by my Spirit [the mind and law of Christ which is not 
the law of man or that carnal law], saith the Lord of 
hosts. 

Ezekiel 33: 11-17. Say unto them, As I live, saith 



300 Christian Science 

the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the 
wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and 
live; turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why 
will ye die, O house of Israel? 

Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children 
of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall 
not deliver him in the day of his transgression : as for 
the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby, 
in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; 
neither shall the righteous be able to live for his 
righteousness in the day that he sinneth. 

When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall 
surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and 
commit iniquity, all his righteousness shall not be 
remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath com- 
mitted, he shall die for it. 

Again, when I say unto the wicked. Thou shalt 
surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which 
is lawful and right ; 

If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he 
had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without 
committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not 
die. 

None of his sins that he hath committed shall he 
mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is 
lawful and right; he shall surely live. 

Yet the children of thy people say. The way of the 
Lord is not equal: but as for them, their way is not 
equal. [This doesn't sound to me much like the 
carnal law of retribution, does it to you?] 

[Remember — the only death is the sense of evil.] 

Psalms 24: I, 2. The earth is the Lord's [God's 
idea of the earth], and the fulness thereof; the world, 
and they that dwell therein. 



Christ and Meaning of Life 301 

For he hath founded it upon the seas, and estab- 
lished it upon the floods. 

Matt. 25: 14, 15, 29. The kingdom of heaven [life, 
real life] is as a man travelling into a far country, 
who called his servants, and delivered unto them his 
goods. 

And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, 
and to another one ; to every man according to his 
several ability; and straightway took his journey. 

For unto everyone that hath [spiritual conscious- 
ness and law] shall be given, and he shall have abund- 
ance; but from him that hath not [''not thought"] 
[mortal consciousness and law] shall be taken away 
even that which he hath [nothing]. [Sounds more 
just than the old interpretation, does it not?] 

Malachi 3: 10, 11. Bring ye all the tithes into the 
storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, 
and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, 
if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour 
you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough 
to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer [carnal 
law and mind] for your sakes, and he shall not destroy 
the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast 
her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of 
hosts. 

Mark 12: 30. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God 
with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all 
thy mind, and with all thy strength : this is the first 
commandment. [Why? Because thus only will you 
gain the consciousness of oneness with Him.] 

Luke 10: 25-28. And, behold, a certain lawyer 
stood up, and tempted him, saying. Master, what 
shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto 
him, What is written in the law; how readest thou? 



302 Christian Science 

And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy 
God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and 
with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy 
neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him. Thou 
hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. 

Luke 21 : 2, 3. Heaven and earth shall pass away 
[a consciousness of material things shall pass away]: 
but my words shall not pass away. [The ideas of 
God shall live for ever, by every word which proceed- 
eth from the mouth of God shall man live.] 

John 3: 5. Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say 
unto thee. Except a man be bom of water and of the 
Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 

John 8: 51, 54, 55. Verily, verily, I say unto 
you. If a man keep my saying, he shall never see 
death. 

If I honour myself, my honour is nothing : it is my 
Father that honoureth me ; of whom ye [carnal minds] 
say, that he is your God : Yet ye [carnal law and minds] 
have not known him : but I know him : and if I should 
say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: 
but I know him: and keep his saying [spiritual law 
which has nothing to do with the law of nature or 
man's law]. 

John 16: 33. These things I have spoken unto 
you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world 
ye shall have tribulation [carnal law] ; but be of good 
cheer; I have overcome the world [by spirit and its 
law]. 

John 18: 36. Jesus answered, My kingdom [the 
law of spirit] is not of this world [carnal law] ; if my 
kingdom were of this world, theyi would my servants 
fight [how about war?] that I should not be delivered 
to the Jews ; but now is my kingdom not from hence. 



Christ and Meaning of Life 303 

Romans 8: i, 2. There is therefore now no con- 
demnation [no carnal law. This is the condemnation 
that light hath come into the world and men loved 
darkness rather than the light], to them which are in 
Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh [carnal 
law], but after the Spirit. 

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath 
made me free from the law of sin and death, 

[Is it not evident that the Bible teaches that there 
is another law, and that what we have called the in- 
harmonious and law of nature is not the law of God or 
a law that we need be subject to except as we (man- 
kind) have made ourselves subject to it?] 

Romans 12: i, 2. I beseech you therefore, breth- 
ren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies 
[your sense of matter] a living sacrifice, holy, accepta- 
ble unto God, which is your reasonable service. And 
be not conformed to this world : but be ye trans- 
formed by the renewing, of your mind, that ye may 
prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect 
will of God [no evil is that law]. 

II. Cor. 4: 17-18. For our light affliction [sense of 
matter], which is but for a moment [in the totality of 
time], worketh for us a far more [wakes us to dynamic 
powers] exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While 
we look not at the things which are seen [carnal law], 
but at the things which are not seen [spiritual law]: 
for the things which are seen are temporal; but the 
things which are not seen are eternal, 

II. Cor. 11: 3. But I fear, lest by any means, as 
the serpent [carnal mind] beguiled Eve through his 
subtility, so your minds should be corrupted from the 
simplicity that is in Christ [spiritual law inductive 
reasoning based on spiritual fact]. 



304 Christian Science 

Hebrews 4: 12. For the word of God is quick, and 
powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, 
piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and 
spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner 
of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 

James 1:17. Every good gift and every perfect gift 
is from above, and comet h down from the Father of 
lights [no darkness because no matter], with whom is 
no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 

II. Samuel 22: 3, 4, 6, 7. The God of my Rock; 
in him will I trust : he is my shield, and the horn of 
my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my 
saviour; thou savest me from violence [carnal law]. 
I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; 
so shall I be saved from mine enemies. 

The sorrows of hell compassed me about [sense 
is hell]; the snares of death [carnal law, which is not 
God's law] prevented me; 

In my distress I called upon the Lord [spiritual 
law], and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice 
out of his temple [proceeding from the Christ mind 
within me], and my cry did enter into his ears. 

Psalm 46: 1-5. God is our refuge and strength, 
a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not 
we fear, though the earth be removed [mortal sense 
lost], and though the mountains be carried into the 
midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and 
be troubled, though the mountains shake with the 
swelling thereof. There is a river [spiritual conscious- 
ness], the streams whereof shall make glad the city of 
God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most 
High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be 
moved; God shall help her, and that right early. 

James 5: 15, 17, 18. And the prayer of faith shall 



Christ and Meaning of Life 305 

save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up ; and if 
he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 

Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, 
and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain; and 
it rained not on the earth by the space of three years 
and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven 
gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. 

Luke 12: 6, 7. Are not five sparrows sold for two 
farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before 
God? 

But even the very hairs of your head are all num- 
bered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than 
many sparrows. 

Matt. 6: 23, 24, 31-33. But If thine eye be evil 
[material], thy whole body shall be full of darkness. 
If therefore the light that Is In thee be darkness, how 
great is that darkness ! 

No man can serve two masters: for either he will 
hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold 
to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve 
God and mammon. 

Therefore take no thought, saying. What shall we 
eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall 
we be clothed [material thoughts]? 

(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek :) for 
your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of 
all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, 
and his righteousness; and all these things shall be 
added unto you [in sufficient measure. Try it and 
see]. 

Matt. 16: 24-26. Then said Jesus unto his dis- 
ciples. If any man will come after me, let him deny 
himself [mortal sense], and take up his cross and 
follow me. For whosoever will save his life [carnal 

80 



3o6 Christian Science 

sense] shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life 
for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, 
if he shall gain the whole world [carnal sense], and 
lose his own soul [spiritual consciousness]? or what 
shall a man give in exchange for his soul ? 

Matt. 22: 39, 40. And the second is like unto 
it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On 
these commandments hang all the law and the 
prophets. 

Luke 12: 3, 22, 23, 31, 32. Whatsoever ye have 
spoken in darkness [in the sense of carnal law], shall be 
heard in the light [in the sense of spiritual law] ; and 
that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets 
[darkness, carnal law] shall be proclaimed upon the 
housetops [in spiritual mind]. 

And he said unto his disciples. Therefore I say unto 
you. Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; 
neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The life is 
more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. 

But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all 
these things will be added unto you. Fear not, little 
flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you 
the kingdom. 

John 2, Vs. 19. Jesus answered and said unto 
them. Destroy this temple [body], and in three days 
I will raise it up. 

Psalm 78: 17-22. And they sinned yet more 
against him by provoking the Most High in the wilder- 
ness. And they tempted God in their heart by asking 
meat [material instead of spiritual food ; man shall not 
live by bread alone] jot their lust, [No man is tempted 
of God; he is led away of his own lust and deceived.] 

Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God 
furnish a table in the wilderness? Behold, he smote 



Christ and Meaning of Life 307 

the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams 
overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide 
flesh for his people? Therefore the Lord heard this, 
and was wroth : because they believed not in God, and 
trusted not in his salvation. 

Psalm 91: 5-7. Thou shalt not be afraid for the 
terror by night ; nor for the arrow that flieth by day. 

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in the dark- 
ness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. 
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand 
at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. 

Psalm 107: 35. He tumeth the wilderness into 
a standing water, and dry grotmd into water-springs. 



MIND AND SPIRIT ARE ALL 

Psalm 33: 8, 9. Let all the earth fear the Lord: 
let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of 
him. 

For he spake [ideas of God], and it was done; he 
commanded, and it stood fast [a true world of ideas]. 

John 1 : 1-14. In the beginning was the Word 
[ideas], and the Word was with God, and the Word was 
God. The same was in the beginning with God. All 
things were made by him; and without him was not 
any thing made that was made. In him was life 
[goodness] ; and the life was the light of men. And the 
light shineth in darkness [a sense of matter] ; and the 
darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent 
from God, whose name was John. The same came 
for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all 
men through him might believe. He was not that 
Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 
That was the true Light, which lighteth every man 
that cometh into the world [the mind of Christ, 
the only begotten Son]. He was in the world, and the 
world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 
He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 
But as many as received him, to them gave he power 
to become the sons of God [to live in the consciousness 
of the mind of Christ], even to them that believe on his 
name. Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will 

308^ 



Christ and Meaning of Life 309 

of the flesh, nor of the will of man [ix,, under the carnal 
law, so-called law made by man. Sounds like a method 
of birth unknown to-day, doesn't it?], but by God. 
And the Word was made flesh [had the same sense of 
matter], and dwelt among us (and we beheld his 
glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) 
full of grace and truth. 

Daniel 2: 20-22. Daniel answered and said, 
Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever; for 
wisdom and might are his ; And he changeth the times 
and the seasons; he removeth kings, and setteth up 
kings; he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge 
to them that know understanding: He revealeth the 
deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the 
darkness [what is reality], and the light dwelleth with 
him. 

Psalm 139: 7-12. Whither shall I go from thy 
spirit [mind of Christ] ? or whither shall I flee from thy 
presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there; 
if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I 
take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the utter- 
most parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead 
me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, 
Surely the darkness shall cover me [sense of evil]; 
even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the 
darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth 
as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike 
to thee. [Darkness pertains to man's false conscious- 
ness alone.] 

Acts 17: 28, 29. For in him we live, and move, 
and have our being; Forasmuch then as we are the 
offspring of God, we ought not to think that the God- 
head is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by 
art and man's device [i.e., the carnal law and man's 



3IO Christian Science 

idea of body (material)]. [In Him is no darkness at 
all. **God is a Spirit and they that worship him 
must worship him in spirit and in truth. ''] 

Job 28: 12. Where shall wisdom be found? and 
where is the place of understanding? 

20. Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the 
place of understanding? 

23. God understandeth the way thereof, and he 
knoweth the place thereof. 

Romans i : 20. For the invisible things of him 
from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being 
understood by the things that are made, even his 
eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without 
excuse. [Underneath are the everlasting arms.] 

Romans 5: 21. That as sin [mortal conscious- 
ness] hath reigned unto death [a part of carnal law 
only]y even so might grace reign through righteousness 
unto eternal life [consciousness of eternal life which 
we now have without consciously knowing it], by 
Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Romans 8: 38, 39. For I am persuaded, that 
neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, 
nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall 
be able to separate us from the love of God, which is 
in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Huxley, Essays on Controverted Questions, page 181: 
"Whoever asserts the existence of an omnipotent 
Deity, that he made and sustains all things, and is the 
causa causarum, can not, without a contradiction in 
terms, assert that there is any cause independent of 
him; and it is a mere subterfuge to assert that the 
cause of all things can *' permit" one of these things 
to be an independent cause. '* 



Christ and Meaning of Life 311 

Eph. 4: 23. And be renewed in the spirit of your 
mind. 

Amos 4: 13. For, lo, he that formeth the moun- 
tains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man 
what is his thought [ix., what is real and what is 
false], that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth 
upon the high places of the earth. The Lord, the God 
of hosts, is his name. 

Zechariah 4: 6. Then he answered and spake 
unto me, saying. This is the word of the Lord unto 
Zerubabbel, saying. Not by might, nor by power 
[carnal law which is not God's law], but by my Spirit 
[spiritual law], saith the Lord of hosts. 

Rev. 20: II. And I saw a great white throne, 
and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and 
the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for 
them. [Could this be true of infinite reality? * ' In him 
we live.''] 



THE WAY OF SALVATION 

Hosea 13: 4. Yet I am the Lord thy God from 
the land of Egypt [from a sense of sin], and thou shalt 
know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside 
me. 

Matt. 16: 24, 26. Then said Jesus unto his dis- 
ciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny 
himself [his sense of matter which is his mortal self], 
and take up his cross [the cross of denying reality to 
false sense], and follow me. For whosoever will save 
his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life 
[give up carnal sense] for my sake [for the sake of the 
Christ mind] shall find it. For what is a man profited, 
if he shall gain the whole world [the sense of matter], 
and lose his own soul [lose the consciousness of 
God which is eternal life] ? or what shall a man give in 
exchange for his soul ? [He that loveth his life shall 
lose it and he that hateth his life in this world shall 
save it unto life eternal (Bible).] 

Deut. 8: 3. And he humbled thee, and suffered 
thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou 
knewest not [spiritual sustenance], neither did thy 
fathers know; that he might make thee know that 
man doth not live by bread only, but by every word 
that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth 
man live. 

Mark 4: 30-32. And he said, Whereunto shall we 

312 



Christ and Meaning of Life 313 

liken the kingdom of God [knowledge of God]? or 
with what comparison shall we compare it ? It is like 
a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the 
earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth 
[mind of Christ grows] : But when it is sown, it groweth 
up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth 
out great branches; so that the fowls of the air [ideas 
of God] may lodge under the shadow of it. 

Mark 8: 34, 35, 36. And when he had called the 
people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto 
them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny 
himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For 
whosoever will save his life shall lose it ; but whosoever 
shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the 
same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if 
he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 

Luke 19: 10. The Son of man [mind of Christ in 
you] is come to seek and to save that which was lost. 

John 14: I, 6. Let not your heart be troubled; 
ye believe in God, believe also in me [the mind of 
Christ within]. 

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and 
the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 
[The mind whichwas in Christ and is in you if you can 
gain consciousness of it, and you therefore cannot 
possibly come to the Father otherwise. Does this not 
make the atonement and the way of salvation plain?] 

John 16: 33. These things I have spoken unto 
you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world 
[in the consciousness that is ruled by man's law] ye 
shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have 
overcome the world [by a new law, not the *'law of 
nature"]. 

II. Samuel 22 : 3, 4, 6, 7. The God of my rock; in 



314 Christian Science 

him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my 
salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; 
thou savest me from violence. 

I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; 
so shall I be saved from mine enemies. 

The sorrows of hell compassed me about ; the snares 
of death [a sense of matter and evil] prevented me. In 
my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to my 
God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple 
[the true body of man, God^s idea of body], and my 
cry did enter into his ears. 

Daniel lo: lo, ii. And, behold, an hand touched 
me, which set me upon my knees and upon the 
palms of my hands. And he said unto me, 
Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words 
that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto 
thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this 
word unto me, I stood trembling. Then said he unto 
me. Fear not, Daniel; for from the first day that thou 
didst set thine heart [the mind which is in Christ] to 
understand, and to chasten thyself [remake the carnal 
mind] before thy God, thy words were heard, and I 
am come for thy words. 

Isaiah i : i6. Wash ye, make you clean; put away 
the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease 
to do evil [think false thoughts with carnal mind]. 

Isaiah 49: 8, 9. Thus saith the Lord, In an ac- 
ceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of 
salvation have I helped thee : and I will preserve thee, 
and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish 
the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages 
[mortal sense] ; That thou mayest say to the prisoners 
[carnal minds], Go forth; to them that are in darkness, 
Show yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and 



Christ and Meaning of Life 315 

their pastures shall be in all high places [spiritual 
law]. 

II. Timothy 3: 16, 17. All scripture is given by 
inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for 
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 
That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly 
furnished unto all good works. 

Deut. 30: II, 12, 14, 19. This commandment 
which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from 
thee, neither is it far off. 

It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say. Who 
shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, 
that we may hear it, and do it? 

But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, 
and in thy heart, that thou may est do it. 

I call heaven and earth to record this day against 
you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing 
and cursing; therefore choose life, that both thou and 
thy seed may live. [''Men chose darkness rather than 
thelighf 

Luke 19: 10. For the son of man [Christ Mind in 
all] is come to seek and to save that which was lost. 

Isaiah 10: 17. And the light of Israel shall be for 
a fire, and his Holy One for a flame: and it shall burn 
and devour his thorns and his briers in one day [car- 
nal sense]. 

John 8: 32. And ye shall know the truth, and 
the truth shall make you free. 

John 10: 10. I am come that they might have life 
[the mind of Christ], and that they might have it more 
abundantly. 

Romans 5: 21. That as sin [mortal conscious- 
ness] hath reigned unto death [a part of carnal law 
only]y even so might grace reign through righteousness 



3i6 Christian Science 

unto eternal life [consciousness of eternal life which 
we now have without consciously knowing it], by 
Jesus Christ our Lord. 

I. Cor. 15 : 57. But thanks be to God, which giveth 
us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

54. So when this corruptible [carnal mind] shall 
have put on incorruption [spiritual mind], and this 
mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be 
brought to pass the saying that is written, Death 
[The only death is consciousness of matter] is swallowed 
up in victory. 

II. Cor. 7: I. Having therefore these promises, 
dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all 
filthiness of the flesh and spirit [carnal law], perfecting 
holiness in the fear of God. 

Eph. 6: 10, 13. Finally, my brethren, be strong 
in the Lord [spiritual mind], and in the power of his 
might. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of 
God [God's thoughts], that ye may be able to with- 
stand in the evil day [when tempted with matter], 
and having done all, to stand [with consciousness of 
spiritual truth]. 

Rev. 12: 10, II. And I heard a loud voice say- 
ing in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, 
and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his 
Christ [mind] : for the accuser of our brethren [carnal 
mind] is cast down, which accused them before our 
God day and night. 

And they [minds of Christ] overcame him [carnal 
mind] by the blood of the Lamb [by the knowledge of 
the meaning of Jesus' death], and by the word of their 
testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the 
death [sense of matter]. 

Hosea 12:13. And by a prophet the Lord brought 



Christ and Meaning of Life 317 

Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he pre- 
served. 

I. Chronicles 28: 9, 20. For the Lord searcheth all 
hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the 
thoughts [of true thoughts]: if thou seek him [the 
mind of Christ and his law], he will be found of thee; 
but if thou forsake him he will cast thee off for ever 
[as long as you forsake Him and live in false con- 
sciousness, and this may seem to mortal sense to last 
for ever]. 

And David said to Solomon his son. Be strong 
and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dis- 
mayed, for the Lord God, even my God, will be with 
thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou 
hast finished all the work for the service of the house 
of the Lord. 

Hosea 13: 4. Yet I am the Lord thy God from 
the land of Egypt [carnal sense], and thou shalt know 
no god but me ; for there is no saviour beside me, 

Matthew 5: 17, 18. Think not that I am come 
to destroy the law, or the prophets [carnal law must 
reign until the spirit of Christ is regnant]: I am not 
come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto 
you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle 
shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled 
[in each man's consciousness and we are thereby free 
from the law of sin and death. ''This is the fulfilling 
of the law,'' to change our consciousness from a sense 
of sin to an understanding of God]. [Love is the ful- 
filling of the law — the filling full.] 

Mark 8: 34, 35, 36. And when he had called 
the people unto him with his disciples also, he said 
unto them, Whosoever will come unto me, let him 
deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 



31 8 Christian Science 

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but 
whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gos- 
pel's, the same shall save it. 

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the 
whole world, and lose his own soul? 

Luke 3: 17. Whose fan is in his hand, and he 
will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the 
wheat into his garner [good qualities in men, the 
spiritual mind]; but the chaff he will burn with fire 
unquenchable [destroy so-called evil by the con- 
sciousness of its real nothingness]. [Our progress is 
toward truth, away from nothing. Ye shall know the 
truth, and the truth shall make you free.] [See 
previous note regarding destruction of evil.] 



UNREALITY OF EVIL 

Habakkuk i: 12, 13. Art thou not from ever- 
lasting, Lord my God, mine Holy One? We shall 
not die [consciousness of continuity of life]. Lord, 
Thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O 
Mighty God, Thou hast established them for correc- 
tion. Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and 
canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou 
upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy 
tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is 
more righteous than he ? [The problem of carnal man 
existing along with the man that is more righteous 
than he? — God not understood by this quotation. 
The same problem we have to-day stated in the same 
paragraph with the statement of a *'God without ini- 
quity.**] [In him we live, and move, and have our 
being. Can a good tree bring forth evil fruit?] 

James i: 17. Every good gift and every perfect 
gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father 
of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow 
of turning, [How about evil ?] 

I. John 4: 7, 8. Beloved, let us love one another: 
for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is bom 
of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not, 
knoweth not God: for God is love. [Can a good tree 
bring forth evil fruit ?] 



319 



CORRECTION NOT PUNISHMENT 

Ezekiel 33: 11--17. Say unto them, As I live, saith 
the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of 
the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his wav 
and live; turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for 
why will ye die, house of Israel? 

Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children 
of thy people. The righteousness of the righteous shall 
not deliver him in the day of his transgression : as for 
the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby 
in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; 
neither shall the righteous be able to live for his 
righteousness in the day that he sinneth. 

When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall 
surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and 
commit iniquity, all his righteousness shall not be 
remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath com- 
mitted, he shall die for it. 

Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt 
surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is 
lawful and right; 

If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he 
had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without 
committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not 
die. 

None of his sins that he hath committed shall be 
mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is 
lawful and right ; he shall surely live. 

j320 



Christ and Meaning of Life 321 

Yet the children of thy people say, The way of the 
Lord is not equal: but as for them, their way is not 
equal. [This doesn't sound to me much like the car- 
nal law of retribution, does it to you? Remember — 
the only death is the sense of evil.] 

Romans 8: i, 2. There is therefore now no con- 
demnation [no carnal law. This is the condemna- 
tion that light hath come into the world and men 
loved darkness rather than the light] to them which are 
in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh [carnal 
law], but after the Spirit. 

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath 
made me free from the law of sin and death, 

[Is it not evident that the Bible teaches that there is 
another law, and that what we have called the inhar- 
monious and law of nature is not the law of God or a 
law that we need be subject to except as we (mankind) 
have made ourselves subject to it?] 

Galatians 6: 7, 8. Be not deceived: God is not 
mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he 
also reap. 

For he that soweth to his flesh [mortal mind] shall 
of the flesh reap corruption ; but he that soweth to the 
Spirit [Christ mind] shall of the Spirit reap life ever- 
lasting. [Love, which corrects, is the filling full of the 
law — not punishment. Mortal mind, sowing to the 
flesh, reaps corruption till that in itself which is nega- 
tive (evil) disappears in nothingness, and true man in 
God's image, forever perfect, is found. Read again 
Ezekiel 33: 11-17 above.] 

Luke 12: 3, 22, 23, 31, 32. Whatsoever ye have 
spoken in darkness [in the sense of carnal law] shall 
be heard in the light [in the sense of spiritual law] ; and 
that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets 



322 Christian Science 

[darkness, carnal law], shall be proclaimed upon the 
housetops [in spiritual mind]. 

And he said unto his disciples, Therefore, I say 
unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall 
eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The 
life is more than meat, and the body is more than 
raiment. 

But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all 
these things will be added unto you. Fear not, little 
flock, for it is your^Father's good pleasure to give 
you the kingdom. 

Jeremiah 29: 8, 11, 12, 13. For thus saith the 
Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets 
and your diviners [carnal minds], that be in the midst 
of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams 
which ye cause to be dreamed. For I know the 
thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, 
thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an 
expected end [expected through carnal law which 
works retribution and not love and correction unto 
perfection]. 

Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray 
unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall 
seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me 
with all your heart [both minds as one]. 



THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN 

["The kingdom of heaven is within you. '*] 

Luke 12: 23, 32. The life is more than meat, and 
the body is more than raiment. 

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good 
pleasure to give you the kingdom [of control over 
and understanding of yourself]. 

Luke 13: 20, 21. And again he said, Where- 
unto shall I liken the kingdom of God? It is like 
leaven [the mind of Christ in you and I], which a 
woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till 
the whole was leavened. 

John 10: 30, 37, 38. I and my Father are one. 

If I do not the works of my Father [the spiritual 
law], believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe 
not me, believe the works [he that believeth on me, 
the works that I do shall he do also — because he will 
be no longer subject to the carnal law] : that ye may 
know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in 
him. [In him we live, and move, and have our 
being.] 

John 17: 3. This is life eternal, that they might 
know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom 
thou hast sent [a state of consciousness of the mind 
which was in Christ]. 

John 17:23, 25. I in them, and thou in me, that 
they may be made perfect in one [one mind. **In 
him we live, and move, and have our being]; and 

323 



3^4 Christian Science 

that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and 
hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. O righteous 
Father, the world [carnal law and mind] hath not 
known thee; but I [the mind of Christ] have known 
thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. 

Isaiah 14:3, 4. And it shall come to pass in the 
day that the Lord shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, 
and from thy fear [mortal sense], and from the hard 
bondage wherein thou wast made to serve. That thou 
shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon; 
and say. How hath the oppressor ceased! th^ golden 
city ceased [carnal law shown to be nothing] ! 

Hebrews 4: 9. There remaineth therefore a rest 
to the people of God [in the consciousness of Christ 
within]. 

John 3: 3, 6. Jesus answered and said unto him, 
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born 
again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. That 
which is born of the flesh is flesh [material law is of 
man, not of God]. 

Luke 13: 20, 21. And again he said, Whereunto 
shall I liken the kingdom of God? 

It is like leaven [the Christ mind], which a woman 
took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole 
was leavened [carnal mind and its works overcom_e ; 
assimilated by spiritual law]. [The wind bloweth 
where it listeth.] 

Romans 5: 21. That as sin [mortal sense] hath 
reigned unto death [sense of matter (death)], even 
so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal 
life [consciousness of continuous life] by Jesus Christ 
our Lord. 

I. Cor. 15: 54. So when 'this corruptible [carnal 
mind] shall have put on incorruption [Christ mind]. 



Christ and Meaning of Life 325 

and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then 
shall be brought to pass the saying that is writtten, 
Death is swallowed up in victory [sense of death is 
lost in consciousness of continuous life]. 

II. Cor. 4: 17, 18. For our light affliction, which 
is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceed- 
ing and eternal weight of glory ; While we look not at 
the things which are seen [mortal sense and law], but 
at the things which are not seen : for the things which 
are seen are temporal [pass out of false consciousness] : 
but the things which are not seen are eternal [for ever, 
now, and always]. 

I. Cor. 2: 9. But as it is written. Eye hath not 
seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the 
heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for 
them that love him [for the mind of Christ — carnal 
mind shall be destroyed through becoming a part of 
the one mind and that is all that is meant, it seems to 
me, by the destruction of sinners]. 

I. Peter 1:4. To an inheritance incorruptible, and 
undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in 
heaven for you, [in spiritual consciousness, the mind 
of Christ]. 

Rev. 2 : 10. Fear none of these things which thou 
shalt suffer: behold, the devil [carnal mind] shall 
cast some of you into prison [mortal sense], that ye 
may be tried: and ye shall have tribulation ten days 
[continuity of life]; be thou faithful unto death [of 
mortal sense and carnal law], and I will give thee a 
crown of life [consciousness of eternal life]. 

Rev. 3: 20, 21. Behold, I stand at the door [of 
mind], and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open 
the door, / will come unto him [consciousness of Christ 
mind in man], and will sup with him, and he with me. 



326 Christian Science 

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me 
in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set 
down with my Father in his throne [consciousness 
of God]. [Eternal continuous life, with no appearance 
of breaks in consciousness.] 

Rev. 11: 15. And the seventh angel sounded; 
and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The 
kingdoms of this world [carnal law] are become the 
kingdoms of our Lord [spiritual law], and of his Christ 
[mind] ; and he shall reign for ever and ever, [in man] 
[the consciousness of men]. 

Rev. 12: 10, II. And I heard a loud voice say- 
ing in heaven. Now is come salvation, and strength, 
and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his 
Christ [mind] : for the accuser of our brethren [carnal 
mind] is cast down, which accused them before our 
God day and night. 

And they [minds of Christ] overcame him [carnal 
mind] by the blood of the Lamb [by the knowledge 
of the meaning of Jesus' death] and by the word of 
their testimon.3^ ; and they loved not their lives unto the 
death [sense of matter]. 

Rev. 21 : 2-4, 7, 23, 24. And I John saw the holy 
city, new Jerusalem, coming down fiom God out of 
heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, 
Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men [the habi- 
tation of the Christ mind], and he will dwell with 
them, and they shall be his people, and God himself 
shall be with them, and be their God. 

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; 
and there shall be no more death [sense of death and 
matter, but continuous consciousness of God], neither 
sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more 



Christ and Meaning of Life 327 

pain; for the former things are passed away [carnal 
law]. 

He that overcometh shall inherit all things ; and I will 
be his God, and he shall be my son [mind of Christ]. 

23. And the city had no need of the sun, neither 
of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did 
lighten it, and the Lamh is the light thereof. 

24. And the nations of them which are saved shall 
walk in the light of it [knowledge of God through the 
Christ mind] ; and the kings of the earth do bring their 
glory and honour into it. 

Rev. 22: 3, 4, 5, 17, 14. And there shall be no 
more curse [carnal law] : but the throne of God and 
of the Lamb shall be in it ; and his servants shall serve 
him: 

4. And they shall see his face; and his name shall 
be in their foreheads. 

5. And there shall be no night there [no darkness 
because no matter]; and they need no candle, neither 
light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: 
and they shall reign for ever and ever. 

17. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And 
let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is 
athirst, come. And whosoever will, let him take the 
water of life freely [spiritual law open to all]. 

14. Blessed are they that do his commandments, 
that they may have right to the tree of life [Christ 
mind and spiritual consciousness], and may enter in 
through the gates into the city. 

Deut. 5 : 24. And ye said. Behold, the Lord our 
God hath showed us his glory and his greatness, and 
we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire: 
we have seen this day that God doth talk with man, 
and he liveth. 



328 Christian Science 

Luke 3: 17. Whose fan is in his hand, and he 
will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the 
wheat into his garner [good qualities in men, the 
spiritual mind]; but the chaff he will bum with fire 
unquenchable [destroy so-called evil by the con- 
sciousness of its real nothingness]. [Our progress is 
toward truth, away from nothing. '*Ye shall know the 
truth, and the truth shall make you free."] [See 
previous note regarding destruction of evil.] 

Isaiah 29: 18-20. And in that day shall the 
deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the 
blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness. 

The meek also shall increase their joy in the Lord, 
and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy 
One of Israel. 

For the terrible one [carnal mind] is brought to 
nought, and the scorner is constuned, and all that 
watch for iniquity are cut off. 



CHAPTER VII. 



TO CHURCH MEMBERS. 



There are many good people, who, without 
fully comprehending what is meant by Christian 
Science doctrine, hesitate to listen to it because it 
seems to conflict with that doctrine to which they 
have already been committed, sometimes by in- 
heritance, sometimes by accident, and some- 
times by the previous assent of their own minds, 
which they hesitate to change. Consequently 
they are torn between the new and the old, and 
fear to appear to others, who do not comprehend, 
to go against that which many have believed in, 
because of the good results they have seen from 
the old beliefs in the Uves of others. 

To such — and my experience tells me there are 
many — I hav^ this message. Just as the doctor, 
and chemist, the business man, the psychologist, 
the spiritualist, and the Christian Scientist are on 
a journey to the same destination by different 
roads, so also, in the matter of church belief, are 
the Unitarian, the Universalist, the Presbyterian, 
the Baptist, the Episcopalian, and any other 
denomination you may name. You cannot put 

329 



33^ Christian Science 

new wine into old bottles, and present progress is 
a growth out of the old, false, materialistic theories. 
The truth has always been the same. The only 
thing that has changed is man's opinion about the 
truth, and it will continue to change till the day 
when instead of '^seeing through a glass darkly'' 
we can see ^'face to face'' (Bible). No man can 
tell all of the truth, no man (save by demonstra- 
tion) can tell that what he states is truth; state- 
ments made by that limited instrument the human 
reason, are always subject to change, but the es- 
sential truths are the same though the statement 
be different, and from time to time the application 
of the statement becomes a little wider and more 
near to the actual life of men. 

Let me see if I can make you understand what 
I feel to be true about this. I am Presbyterian. 
My affection and my support, if not my fullest 
acquiescence in its beliefs, belong to that Church, 
and so long as I can do so without actually running 
counter to its real underlying beliefs, or either 
repudiating or concealing my own, I propose to 
give that Church my service. I am at home there, 
and though there are many things in the written 
statements of the Church which I do not believe 
(and in that I believe I have good company for 
there are many others), I believe that I can worship 
God there better than elsewhere because it is my 
place. If I should go to the Christian Science 
Church there would still be many things in the 
written statements of that Church which I could 



To Church Members 331 

not believe (and in that I would again have good 
company for there are many others). The same 
thing would be true in the case of any church to 
which I might choose to go. No one of them 
would state all of the things which I believe (in 
written statements of belief) nor would there be 
any of them which would not contain some things 
(in their written statements) in which I do not 
believe. I am frankly not a believer in creeds, but 
I think that the place where I go to worship God 
and to help others to worship God on Sundays 
(for my life should be a continuous worship day 
by day) should be that place where, because of 
my associations, I can give and get the most good, 
and unless my beliefs, in some way not seen now, 
interfere hereafter with those of others I intend to 
continue to attend the Presbyterian Church. If, 
later, my beliefs will not allow that (and it may be 
that practically I will find I am mistaken as to the 
possibility of living new beliefs in old surroundings), 
I will cheerfully go to some other place, because 
God is everywhere, and I can't find any church 
that exactly states my idea of truth at present. 
Further, if I stay, I am not going to quarrel with 
my friends, either in or out of the Church, about 
non-essentials. I recommend in this connection 
that you read again Emerson's Essay on Self- 
Reliance, I have attended all kinds of services 
in all kinds of churches, including Catholic, and 
should you put the sermons in a bundle and then 
redistribute them, without the names of authors, 



33^ Christian Science 

no one of the congregations would know whether 
they were receiving a CathoHc, Presbyterian, 
Baptist, or Christian Science sermon, granting 
that Christian Scientists had sermons. For mark 
this, very few sermons nowadays are doctrinal. 
Both pastor and people have found that in human 
doctrine is not necessarily the truth, but the es- 
sential truths are the same in all churches; and 
is not this an illustration of the fact that all the 
little byways we have followed are leading 
through experience and by retracing one's steps 
into the great one road of truth which leads direct 
to God, and an earnest of the day when men will 
stop arguing about non-essentials and all think 
only of the real essentials of worship ? 

For what have I really said in this book that 
any church cannot accept and approve? Let us 
see. I have said: 

(i) God is infinite and no man should worship 
or ascribe power to aught but Him, 

To be sure I have drawn some conclusions from 
this premise that you may not agree with and I 
don't ask you to till your own experience brings 
you to it. For instance, to me, submitting to the 
dictates of the body, without protest, is just as 
much idolatry as bowing down to any other 
material image. I can't avoid it at times, but I 
know that this is because of life lived under the 
condemnation of ''loving darkness rather than the 
light. '' Again, I do not believe in the existence of 
evil and of matter as real, and my life is made 



To Church Members 333 

more joyful every day because I know that there 
is no seeming power opposed to God which I can- 
not overcome as Christ Jesus proved, but that 
my journey is exclusively toward knowledge. I 
need waste no power in ''resisting evil'' but ''can 
overcome evil with good" (Bible). These con- 
clusions, I say, you may not be able to agree with, 
but if we both keep the premise on which we do 
agree in mind every moment of our lives, and try 
to live it, we will find the true conclusion some 
day, won't we? If I am wrong I will be brought 
to know it. If you are wrong, likewise. And when 
we know the whole truth, we will both have the 
same conclusion, so why worry about non-essen- 
tials? If we are truly and persistently trying to live 
the premise, we get nowhere by disputing about 
the conclusion which we neither of us can see at 
present except through a glass darkly. Let us 
therefore state our beliefs frankly, but if we do 
not meet with agreement stop talking and let the 
truth itself be its own missionary to both sides of 
the argument. 

I have said : 

(2) The Christ Spirit is the way to salvation. 

To be sure I have stated my own beUef as to the 
way in which that is brought about and as to the 
nature of Christ's mission. For instance, I think 
that I have to live right to be saved. Living rightly 
means to me living by some means in the con- 
sciousness of God, knowledge of whom is eternal 
Life, It may not require long experience to reach 



334 Christian Science 

that condition, at least as long as we sometimes 
think ; and anyway I have continuous life in which 
to do it. I think that just so long as I live out of 
the consciousness of the mind which was in Christ 
Jesus, I will suffer and no longer, and that some 
day Jesus, whose sonship and divine mission I 
have asserted, just as he says in the Bible, will say 
again, so that we can understand and comprehend 
it, ''of all those whom thou hast given me I have 
lost none'' — for we are not really lost even now 
except in our own false consciousness. Perhaps 
you won't agree with these conclusions, and I 
don't ask you to, till your own experience has 
brought you to it. But if we will live the premise 
cannot we trust the Christ Spirit within us to show 
us all the truth eventually? And why should we 
discuss non-essentials further than to state our 
opinions, in the hope that truth will he its own 
missionary and lead all of us gently by the various 
ways in which we may travel, to that knowledge 
of itself which shall set us free? 

And what else essential have I said? Not 
another thing. I have founded myself on the 
same things which you, doubtless, also believe with 
me, and all that I have said can be reduced to a 
common belief. So far as I am able to see, through- 
out the course of this book, I have made no state- 
ments which are not in accord with current belief, 
save the statement that matter and evil are not 
real, and let us see how far this belief diverges 
from the common beHef ''in its results." Your 



To Church Members 335 

belief in matter is that it has reality. You prob- 
ably admit that it is the source of evil and is 
something which we should desire to overcome. 
The biologist, as we have stated, believes that 
man has, in the course of millions of years, built 
his own body to suit his so-called needs. 

Now, what have I said that is different from this? 
I have said that instead of building a body, mortal 
man has built a belief in a body; that instead of 
matter being actually existent, mortal man has 
constructed a belief in the reality of matter 
(consciousness); that that belief is something 
which it is desirable to overcome. 

So it seems to me that we both are agreed that 
Vvhether matter exists or not, it is something un- 
desirable and something we could well afford to 
eliminate from our lives. All admit this in desiring 
a heaven where at least it is agreed Spirit is All. 
In other words, the result is the same. To my 
mind, I seem to have made that result easier of 
accomplishment because, if my belief be true, I 
have nothing to fight against but my own beliefs 
and erring sense which has no power. I do not 
need to resist evil. All I need to do is to '^overcome 
evil with good" in consciousness, and progress 
onward toward knowledge of Truth; while you, 
who believe in the reality of matter, have something 
positive in your belief to destroy before you can 
proceed aggressively in the direction of Truth. 
Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil 
(Bible), but it seems to me that this was only in the 



336 Christian Science 

sense of substituting positive good for negative 
evil, not in the sense of fighting something which 
could ''fight'' back. None the less, the result of 
both our beliefs is the same. While I have not 
consulted a Christian Scientist as I stated in the 
beginning of this book concerning either its writing 
or publication, I believe that I have stated that 
doctrine correctly. If I have, where is the wide 
divergence of opinion that is supposed to exist 
between what they believe and what is commonly 
believed? Do you not see that I am trying to 
point out again that we are all on the same journey 
and that the things which we discuss so bitterly 
at times are really the non-essentials ? The results 
are the same. 

Personally, I believe (and if you will lend your 
mind to it, you will see that I have very many 
sane people who are in agreement with me, possibly 
very many more than you have as yet realized) 
that the way by which I wish to travel is easier 
and quicker than that way which believes in the 
reality of evil and of matter, but if I am wrong 
and try to practice my way, it will lead me through 
experience into the true path eventually as will 
yours. So why should we not in as whole-souled 
way as we can, assist one another to untangle our 
fish lines each in his own way, as brothers and 
without attempting to enforce our varied opinions 
one upon the other? 

I have also ventured the opinion that when the 
Bible speaks of destruction of sinners, it is referring 



To Church Members 337 

to the evil quaKties of mankind and to the sense 
of evil. It is a sense of evil that Christ destroys 
and not man. Possibly you will not agree with 
this but I ask you to read the quotations from the 
Bible with that idea in mind, and see what con- 
clusions you reach for yourself. 

I have only been trying to show the experience 
of one man in trying to live truth, in the hope that 
the truth in the life of some other may become and 
appear more real to him or her. If you cannot see 
it as I do to-day, I do not attempt to say you are 
wrong. I will help you to untangle your fish line 
in your own way, as I must with God's help un- 
tangle my own in mine. I will believe in my w^ay, 
you may believe in yours, and we will both press 
onward, shoulder to shoulder, brothers on a 
common object bent, till the day come when we 
can say that we know truth and the truth has set 
us free. 

There are three things that I, in closing this 
book, hope to impress especially on my readers. 
First, while I know that the old idea of Christ 
gives inspiration to many lives through the love 
and knowledge of his life, and while I do not in any 
way depreciate that idea as a vital factor in the 
life of the world, I personally am convinced that 
the new idea which makes of the Christ Spirit a 
living thing belonging to the constitution of every 
man, is something that more men will understand 
and that through that understanding of the way 
to salvation, the spirit and the life of Christ will 

V 22 



338 Christian Science 

become a greater factor in the progress of the 
world than ever before. 

Second, I wish to express my personal conviction 
that a world of ideas, if we could realize it in 
consciousness, would be a far more beautiful world 
than the world which is now limited by our sense 
of matter. I passed a beautiful building the other 
day and the thought came to me, '' I believe that 
if I talked with the architect of that building he 
would tell me that he had never succeeded in 
getting down on paper or in actual construction all 
of the beauty which attached to the building in his 
mind before it became what we call objectified''; 
and then the further thought came to me that as 
the architect's thoughts of the building are more 
beautiful than the building itself, God's thoughts 
of the building must be still more beautiful. I 
cannot concretely portray to either you or myself 
because of the limitation of my present condition 
of consciousness what it would mean to live in a 
world of God's ideas (i.e., conscious of unity with 
the One Mind), unspoiled by the 'Equalities" of 
the carnal mind and the ''law of sin and death," 
but I can, through the faith which is the "sub- 
stance of things hoped for," appreciate fully that 
it must be the kingdom of heaven on earth. 

Would again that I could say something which 
would lead all men to feel — whether they be Presby- 
terians or Baptists, Catholics or Christian Scien- 
tists — that they, in reality, have everything in 
common, and that the things about which we 



To Church Members 339 

dispute are not worth the effort — that we should 
strip our biirdens of prejudice from us to the end 
that we may all be the freer to go forward each 
in his own way, or if it can be comprehended, 
changing to a better way, toward the end of the 
journey which is God, the Father of us all. 

I must finally frankly admit that matter and 
evil seem to me to exist, and possibly will so long 
as I remain boimd in this false, imreal conscious- 
ness (carnal law) imposed on me by myself and 
imiversal behefs. I frankly admit further that I 
cannot see how something non-existent can have 
produced all the wrong things which seem so real 
to me. That is I cannot see it in such a way as to 
do away with all of the seeming reality at once. 
None the less I can see that the absence of good in 
our perceptions — the absence (a negative thing) 
of God may produce all that I call a sense of 
separation, a sense of matter, and a sense of evil. 
I can see that getting God back in my conscious- 
ness would destroy, as light destroys darkness, the 
sense of evil which I now seem to have. 

In any religious doctrine, men are compelled 
to say of something, *'I do not understand '' and so 
I cannot comprehend how a good God can even 
seem to be absent. I cannot comprehend how a 
good God can permit men to have these false per- 
ceptions or the reason for it, or how God can even 
seem to be absent if He be All and All Good. Nor 
can I understand why God should have allowed 
man to misuse the ** dominion'' given him over 



340 Christian Science 

''all the earth, '' or how a mind capable of appear- 
ing to misuse could have sprung from a good God, 
from God and man to whom He gave dominion. 
None the less I am going to live on the principle 
that He is All and All Good even though I cannot 
now see it in fact, save through a glass darkly, 
because: 

(i) That is the only idea of Him which satisfies 
my life to-day. 

(2) In that way only can I attain results at- 
tainable in no other way. 

Therefore I deny anything which seems to deny 
His completeness and His goodness and while I 
cannot fully demonstrate it as yet (dreaming), 
I think I have given you some reasons leading 
toward the belief that evil and matter have no 
reality, and for the rest am content to trust to the 
faith which is the substance of things hoped for to 
place me some day, be it far or near, where I can 
demonstrate that which to-day I know to be truth. 
When that day comes all the truth I know to-day 
will still be mine, and all the falsity I seem to know 
will have disappeared. I shall then know the 
answer to that which I cannot because of limita- 
tion explain to-day to the satisfaction of myself 
or any other. 

I suppose someone will say in reading this book, 
that I have first said that any man can set up an 
idea of God, and then if that idea be not attacked, 
can make his conclusions seem probable — and 
that then I have done that same thing myself. 



To Church Members 341 

Granted freely — but can you think of any philo- 
sophy, or any idea about anything, which is not 
necessarily founded on some idea of God? And 
have I not specially stated that I do not ask any- 
one to adopt my idea until his experience has 
brought it to him? And have you constructed for 
yourself your own idea of God, founding it on 
reason and on Scripture before criticizing mine? 
If not I suggest that you give the subject careful 
and prayerful consideration — it is deserving of the 
best, for on it will your whole hfe be fashioned — 
and I venture the prediction that if you do this 
with the desire to learn, freeing yourself from all 
desire but that of learning Truth, you will find 
that your conclusions are not very far away from 
mine, as to the nature of God. If, then, you reach 
that conclusion — I only ask that you be honest 
with yourself and others, and shirk none of the 
results which come from your own premises. 



EPILOGUE 

In looking back over this book, I see that I 
started to pick out a few quotations from the 
Bible which seemed to me to confirm the idea of 
life portrayed herein. I see that I have used very 
many more quotations than I had expected, and 
I have come to this conclusion, which I believe 
everyone who will read the Bible with this idea 
in mind will eventually also reach, that in order 
to quote all of those parts of the Bible which 
convey the idea I have in mind, I would have to 
reprint the Bible in whole, for I find it difficult 
now to find any part of it which does not express 
the thought that I have been trying to give you. 
I do not believe that I could do better as an ending 
to this book than to quote the words of the Master: 

"Come unto me [the mind which is of Christ in 
each and every man] all ye that labour and are 
heavy laden [under a sense of matter and of sin]. 
Take my yoke [the law of the spirit of life in Christ 
Jesus] upon you [cease thinking negative thoughts 
of the carnal mind] and learn of me [seek the truth 
through me and the truth shall set you free], for 
my yoke is easy [my law is that in which you have 

342 



Epilogue 343 

your natural habitation, for you are a child of the 
light and suffer so long as you are in the darkness] 
and my burden is light [both light in weight 
and light as distinguished from darkness, i. e., the 
truth which will set you free]." 



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